Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA019• Louisiana

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 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 Calcasieu 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
Mowata-Vidrine complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	124K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kinder-Gist complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	72K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Edgerly loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	67K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Crowley-Vidrine complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	44K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Caddo-Messer complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	42K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Prairieland silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	40K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	36K			Not rated	Not rated
Guyton and Bienville soils frequently flooded	30K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Brimstone silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	28K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guyton-Messer complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	27K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	23K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Glenmora silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	21K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Acadia silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arat mucky silt loam	13K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Midland silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	12K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Judice silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	12K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bienville-Cahaba-Guyton complex, gently undulating	11K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Basile and Brule, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	9K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gentilly muck, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	9K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Barbary mucky clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	8K	Very poorly drained	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 92% 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.