Bienville Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Sacul, on about 19% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Guyton and Bowie come next.
About 34% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 22% 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 Bienville 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Bienville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton-Ouachita silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 113K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 80K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gurdon silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sawyer very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Malbis fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Betis loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Malbis fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Betis loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Dubach fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shatta silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mahan fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beauregard silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | 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 55% 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 85% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.