Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Moreland, on about 20% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Sharkey and Coushatta come next.
About 22% of the land drains well, and 71% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 62% of it.
USDA rates 80% 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: 37% 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 Avoyelles 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 Avoyelles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 82K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coushatta silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sharkey clay, overwash, occasionally flooded | 30K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tensas-Sharkey complex, overwash, undulating, occasionally flooded | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam | 24K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 23K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sharkey clay, overwash, frequently flooded | 21K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, overwash, gently undulating, occasionally flooded | 19K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coushatta silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Latanier clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coteau silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dowling clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, tensas | 15K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, deltaic plain | 15K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxana very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, gently undulating, occasionally flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solier clay | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tensas silty clay, overwash, occasionally flooded | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kolin silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gallion silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | 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
About 77% 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 80% 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.