Bossier Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Wrightsville, on about 8% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Sacul and Gore come next.
About 25% of the land drains well, and 52% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 48% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 18% 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 Bossier 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Vertisols — clay-rich soils that shrink and swell dramatically with moisture changes. 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 Bossier 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrightsville silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 53K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton-Ouachita silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 34K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashford silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 28K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McKamie very fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kolin silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moist | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gore silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 23K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bodcau silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mahan fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moist | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bossier clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mollicy-Guyton complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armistead clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gore silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mahan fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Buxin clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gurdon very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | 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 71% 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 83% 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.