Wakulla County, Florida
The most common soil here is Rutlege, on about 7% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Croatan and Leon come next.
About 4% of the land drains well, and 76% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 66% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 14% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Wakulla County, Florida, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Wakulla County, Florida. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatan-Dorovan mucks | 60K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scranton sand | 26K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ortega sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ridgewood fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege sand, frequently flooded | 21K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tooles-Nutall fine sands | 20K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bayvi, Isles, and Estero soils, frequently flooded | 20K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tooles-Nutall-Chaires fine sands | 17K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waters of the Gulf of America | 16K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Otela-Alpin fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rutlege sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mandarin fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Surrency mucky fine sand | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chaires-Chaires, wet, fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alpin sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Otela fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Moriah-Pilgrims fine sands | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otela, limestone substratum-Ortega sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 66% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.