Soil survey area

Jenkins County, Georgia

Survey Area GA165• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Ogeechee, on about 11% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Fuquay and Cowarts come next.

About 56% of the land drains well, and 40% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.

USDA rates 77% 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: 26% 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 Jenkins County, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Ogeechee
11% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · poorly drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Fuquay
10% of the area
Sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Cowarts
10% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Dothan
8% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Troup
7% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · somewhat excessively drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Meggett
7% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · poorly drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols

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 Jenkins County, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Rains (Ogeechee) sandy loam 25K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Fuquay loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 22K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Troup sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 19K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Meggett loam 15K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Bibb-Wehadkee (Kinston) complex 14K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 13K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 13K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Troup (Bonifay) sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes 8K Well drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Ardilla loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 6K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Grady sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently ponded 6K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded 6K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Ocilla loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 6K Somewhat poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Cowarts loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 6K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Dothan loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 4K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded 4K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Sawyer (Gritney) loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 4K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded 4K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Bladen fine sandy loam 4K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Dunbar fine sandy loam 4K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery 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 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 77% 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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