Soil survey area

Crisp and Turner Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA631• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Tifton, on about 31% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Cowarts and Alapaha come next.

About 73% of the land drains well, and 24% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.

USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 24% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 16% 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 Crisp and Turner Counties, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Tifton
31% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Cowarts
9% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Alapaha
9% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · poorly drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Fuquay
8% of the area
Sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Dothan
5% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Esto
3% of the area
Fine 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 Crisp and Turner Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 106K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Alapaha loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 41K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 36K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 20K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tifton loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 16K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 15K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Cowarts sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 13K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tifton loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Leefield loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 10K Somewhat poorly drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Kinston and Osier soils 9K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 9K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 8K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Stilson loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 7K Moderately well drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Rains loamy fine sand 7K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Esto sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes 5K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Grady sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently ponded 5K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Cowarts sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded 4K Well drainedCNot limitedNot limited
Herod sandy loam 4K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Lucy loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat 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.

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 24% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 86% 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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