McIntosh County, Georgia
The most common soil here is Bohicket, on about 20% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Chastain and Bayboro come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 78% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 78% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 43% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in McIntosh County, 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 McIntosh County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidal marsh, low (Bohicket) | 62K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 42K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Swamp (Chastain) | 24K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bayboro clay loam | 23K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege (Johnston) fine sand | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bladen-Coxville fine sandy loams | 15K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weston (Riceboro) loamy sand, thick surface | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bladen loam and clay loam | 13K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ona (Olustee) fine sand | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weston (Ogeechee) loamy fine sand | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galestown (Foxworth) fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wet alluvial land (Levy) | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Johns (Lynn Haven) fine sand | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidal marsh, high (Capers) | 7K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eulonia-Fairhope (Eulonia) fine sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eulonia (Ocilla)-Fairhope (Ocilla) loamy fine sands, thick surfaces, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klej (Chipley) fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palm Beach (Foxworth) fine sand, dark | 3K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lynchburg (Ocilla) loamy fine sand, thick surface, clayey substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat 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
About 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.