Soil survey area

Miller and Seminole Counties, Georgia

Survey Area GA646• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Tifton, on about 20% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Grady and Wagram come next.

About 64% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 22% of it.

USDA rates 59% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 33% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 5% 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 Miller and Seminole Counties, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Tifton
20% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Grady
12% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · poorly drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Wagram
11% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Goldsboro
10% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · moderately well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Norfolk
9% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Troup
6% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · somewhat excessively 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 Miller and Seminole Counties, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Tifton sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 44K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tifton sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes 43K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Grady soils 43K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Wagram loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 38K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Goldsboro sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 37K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Troup sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 25K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Norfolk loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 25K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Lucy loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 17K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Ocilla loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 13K Somewhat poorly drainedA/DVery limitedVery limited
Norfolk loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 12K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Water 11K Not ratedNot rated
Meggett soils 7K Poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Irvington (Ardilla) sandy loam 6K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Orangeburg loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Angie (Wahee) fine sandy loam 4K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Orangeburg loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 3K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Riverview and Congaree soils 3K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Troup sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 3K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Pelham sand 2K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Esto loamy sand, 5 to 17 percent slopes 2K Well drainedCSomewhat 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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 33% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 59% 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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