Rabun and Towns Counties, Georgia
The most common soil here is Saluda, on about 16% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tusquitee and Porters come next.
About 95% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 32% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Rabun and Towns Counties, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Rabun and Towns Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tusquitee-Haywood association, steep | 45K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saluda association, steep | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hayesville fine sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bradson fine sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edneyville-Ashe association, stony, steep | 27K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Porters association, stony, steep | 23K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashe association, stony, very steep | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tusquitee loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Evard association, steep | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saluda association, moderately steep | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Porters association, stony, very steep | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edneyville sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bradson fine sandy loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Transylvania-Toxaway complex | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Saluda and Ashe stony soils, very steep | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tusquitee loam, 4 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ashe-Porters association, moderately steep | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rabun stony loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rabun loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | 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 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.