Clarke and Oconee Counties, Georgia
The most common soil here is Pacolet, on about 32% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cecil and Madison come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.
USDA rates 19% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 19% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Clarke and Oconee 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 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 Clarke and Oconee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacolet sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pacolet sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy clay loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, severely eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chewacla soils and alluvial land (Cartecay) | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Davidson clay loam, loamy substratum, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Appling (Wedowee) coarse sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pacolet-Gullied land complex, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Davidson (Gwinnett) clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Congaree soils and alluvial land (Toccoa) | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pacolet-Gullied land complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Davidson (Hiwassee) sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pacolet sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wehadkee and Alluvial land, wet (Wehadkee) | 3K | 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.
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.