Caldwell Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA021• Louisiana

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well 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 Caldwell 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
Savannah-Sacul association, gently sloping	48K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sacul fine sandy loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes	48K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Perry clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, Arkansas River	41K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Guyton and Ouachita silt loams, frequently flooded	34K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Frizzell-Guyton-Providence association, 0 to 2 percent slopes	30K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Olla-Cadeville association, steep	19K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Falkner silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hebert silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Alligator clay, frequently flooded	12K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bayoudan clay, 8 to 40 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	9K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Perry silty clay loam	8K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Perry-Hebert complex, gently undulating	7K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rilla silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Hebert silt loam, gently undulating, occasionally flooded	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sterlington silt loam	3K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Ruston fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Hebert silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bayoudan clay, 3 to 8 percent slopes	3K	Moderately well 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.

Vertisols

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

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 93% 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.