Soil survey area

Carroll and Haralson Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA618• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Madison, on about 36% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tallapoosa and Hulett come next.

About 89% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.

USDA rates 59% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 23% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

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

Madison
36% of the area
Gravelly sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Tallapoosa
18% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Hulett
9% of the area
Gravelly fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Chewacla
8% of the area
Loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Inceptisols
Grover
7% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Gwinnett
7% 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 Carroll and Haralson Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Madison gravelly fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded 58K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tallapoosa gravelly fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded 50K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Chewacla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded 43K Somewhat poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Madison gravelly fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded 43K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Madison gravelly fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 30K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Madison gravelly clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded 21K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Louisa gravelly fine sandy loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes 20K Somewhat excessively drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Hulett gravelly sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded 19K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Grover gravelly fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes 18K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Grover gravelly fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded 16K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Madison gravelly clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded 15K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Madison gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded 15K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tallapoosa gravelly fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded 15K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Hulett gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded 14K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Tallapoosa gravelly fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, eroded 14K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Congaree soils 11K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Davidson (Gwinnett) gravelly loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded 11K Well drainedDNot limitedVery limited
Hulett gravelly sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, eroded 9K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Davidson (Gwinnett) gravelly loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded 8K Well drainedDNot limitedVery limited
Water 7K 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.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 59% 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

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.

Look Up a Specific Address

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