Calloway and Marshall Counties, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Grenada, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Brandon and Purchase come next.
About 23% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 53% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% 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 Calloway and Marshall Counties, Kentucky, 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Calloway and Marshall Counties, Kentucky. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 48K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 41K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Purchase-Lax-Brandon complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 32K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brandon silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 30K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, 4 to 6 percent slopes, severely eroded | 23K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brandon-Purchase-Lax complex, 12 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lax-Loring-Feliciana complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calloway-Kurk complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins-Iuka complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 15K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brandon-Saffell-Smithdale complex, 20 to 35 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calloway silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saffell-Smithdale-Brandon complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brandon silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosebloom and Bibb soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enville-Falaya complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purchase-Lax-Brandon complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Collins-Iuka complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 77% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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.