Spalding County, Georgia
The most common soil here is Cecil, on about 55% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Pacolet and Appling come next.
About 81% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 20% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 20% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Spalding 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 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 Spalding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, severely eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Appling sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chewacla, Cartecay, and Toccoa soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil (Pacolet) sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wehadkee and Roanoke silty clay loams | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alluvial land, wet (Wehadkee) | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd (Cecil) sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lloyd (Pacolet) clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Helena sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 2K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd (Cecil) clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, severely eroded | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Local alluvial land (Toccoa) | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pacolet-Saw complex, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded, bouldery | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Appling sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil-Urban land complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lloyd (Pacolet) sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 1K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.
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.