Ascension Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Schriever, on about 18% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Barbary and Commerce come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 94% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 30% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, 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 Somewhat poorly 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 Ascension Parish, Louisiana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbary muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 31K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silty clay loam | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Deerford-Verdun complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fausse association, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thibaut clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olivier silt loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acy silt loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galvez silt loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Essen silt loam | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fausse-Galvez association | 4K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deerford-Patoutville complex | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schriever silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, deltaic plain | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Convent silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeanerette silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly 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 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.