Soil survey area

Bleckley, Dodge, and Telfair Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA610• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Tifton, on about 12% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Fuquay and Dothan come next.

About 67% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 26% of it.

USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 21% of the land floods occasionally or more.

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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Bleckley, Dodge, and Telfair Counties, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Tifton
12% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Fuquay
10% of the area
Sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Dothan
7% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Kinston
7% of the area
Loam topsoil · poorly drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Inceptisols
Cowarts
6% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Nankin
6% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols

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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Bleckley, Dodge, and Telfair Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Kinston-Bibb association, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded 113K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 96K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 92K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 58K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 36K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Nankin loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 34K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Bonifay sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes 32K Well drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Tawcaw-Chastain association, frequently flooded 29K Somewhat poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Nankin sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 22K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Pelham loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes 18K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Cowarts sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 16K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Leefield loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 16K Somewhat poorly drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Carnegie sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded 15K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Carnegie sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 13K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Ailey loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 12K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Ailey loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 11K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Wahee-Bethera association, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 11K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Rains sandy loam 11K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Pelham loamy sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes 11K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Water 10K Not ratedNot rated

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.

Ultisols
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.

Look Up a Specific Address

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