Soil survey area

Glascock and Jefferson Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA638• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Orangeburg, on about 13% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Dothan and Faceville come next.

About 81% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.

USDA rates 51% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 20% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 15% 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 Glascock and Jefferson Counties, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Orangeburg
13% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Dothan
11% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Faceville
9% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Troup
9% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · somewhat excessively drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Lucy
6% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Fuquay
5% of the area
Sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
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 Glascock and Jefferson Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 48K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Orangeburg loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 34K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Osier and Bibb soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded 33K Poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Faceville sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes 26K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 24K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Orangeburg sandy clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded 18K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Troup fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes 14K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Troup fine sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 14K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Lucy loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Rains sandy loam, occasionally flooded 13K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Faceville sandy clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded 12K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Bonifay fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes 11K Well drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Troup fine sand, 8 to 12 percent slopes 11K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Herod and Muckalee loams, frequently flooded 10K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 10K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Lucy loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nankin loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Cowarts sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 7K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Orangeburg sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded 7K Well drainedBSomewhat 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.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

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

About 51% 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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