Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Perry, on about 14% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Sacul and Savannah come next.
About 11% of the land drains well, and 52% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 28% 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 Caldwell 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 83% 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 92% 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.