Soil survey area

Lincoln and Wilkes Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA645• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Georgeville, on about 25% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Pacolet and Cecil come next.

About 84% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.

USDA rates 40% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 34% 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 8% 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 Lincoln and Wilkes Counties, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Georgeville
25% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Ultisols
Pacolet
14% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Cecil
12% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Mecklenburg
5% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Alfisols
Herndon
4% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Ultisols
Wedowee
3% 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 Lincoln and Wilkes Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Georgeville clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded 43K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Georgeville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 36K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Water 32K Not ratedNot rated
Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 29K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Georgeville clay loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, eroded 29K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Cecil sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded 22K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded 22K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Toccoa loam, occasionally flooded 15K Moderately well drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Herndon very fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 10K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Appling sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 10K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Pacolet sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes 10K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 9K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Georgeville silt loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Pacolet fine gravelly loamy coarse sand, 6 to 10 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Wedowee sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Pacolet sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Wedowee sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Mecklenburg sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Pacolet fine gravelly loamy coarse sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Zion silt loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCVery 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.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 40% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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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