Bryan and Chatham Counties, Georgia
The most common soil here is Bohicket, on about 14% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Ellabelle and Ogeechee come next.
About 6% of the land drains well, and 71% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 68% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 46% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Bryan and Chatham Counties, Georgia, 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 B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Bryan and Chatham Counties, Georgia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidal marsh, salty (Bohicket) | 88K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 74K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ellabelle loamy sand | 71K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ogeechee loamy fine sand | 32K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cape Fear soils | 30K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocilla complex | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pelham loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 29K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stilson loamy sand | 27K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mascotte sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelina (Kinston) and Bibb soils, frequently flooded | 19K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chipley fine sand | 19K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olustee (Rigdon) fine sand | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland sand | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Albany fine sand | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidal marsh, fresh (Levy) | 13K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capers soils | 12K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pooler fine sandy loam | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wahee sandy loam | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ogeechee-Urban land complex | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very 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 75% 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 86% 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.