Soil survey area

Muscogee County, Georgia

Survey Area GA215• Georgia
The short version

The most common soil here is Pacolet, on about 10% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Troup and Dothan come next.

About 75% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.

USDA rates 59% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 26% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 14% 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 Muscogee County, Georgia, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Pacolet
10% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Troup
10% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · somewhat excessively drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Ultisols
Dothan
9% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Wedowee
7% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Vaucluse
6% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Ultisols
Ailey
5% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
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 Muscogee County, Georgia. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Dothan-Urban land complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Troup, Vaucluse, and Pelion loamy sands, 8 to 15 percent slopes 9K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Wedowee sandy loam, 10 to 35 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded 7K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Bibb sandy loam 6K Poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded 5K Somewhat poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Ailey loamy coarse sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 5K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Pacolet sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded 5K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Toccoa sandy loam 4K Moderately well drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Water 4K Not ratedNot rated
Troup loamy fine sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 4K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Vaucluse sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes 4K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Troup and Esto loamy sands, 5 to 15 percent slopes 3K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 3K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes 3K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Wagram loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes 3K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Vaucluse sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes 3K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Orangeburg-Urban land complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes 3K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Eunola-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes 3K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Urban land 3K Not ratedNot rated

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.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 26% 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

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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