Soil survey area

Cameron Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA023• Louisiana

The short version

The most common soil here is Allemands, on about 13% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Bancker and Creole come next.

About under 1% of the land drains well, and 77% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.

USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 65% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Allemands

13% of the area

Clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Histosols

Bancker

11% of the area

Mucky clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Entisols

Creole

10% of the area

Mucky clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Entisols

Clovelly

7% of the area

Clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Histosols

Scatlake

6% of the area

Mucky clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Entisols

Ged

4% of the area

Clay topsoil · very poorly drained

Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.

Alfisols

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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Cameron 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
Water	242K			Not rated	Not rated
Allemands muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	151K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bancker muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	138K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Creole mucky clay	109K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Scatlake mucky clay, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, tidal	67K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Clovelly muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	55K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ged mucky clay	49K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Larose muck, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, tidal	38K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gentilly muck, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	34K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Edgerly loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	32K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mowata-Vidrine complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	28K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mermentau clay	25K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hackberry-Mermentau complex, gently undulating	21K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Midland silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	14K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Crowley-Vidrine complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Udifluvents, 1 to 20 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Not rated	Not rated
Aquents, frequently flooded	8K	Very poorly drained	D	Not rated	Not rated
Kaplan silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Judice silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	5K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hackberry loamy fine sand	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	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.

Entisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Histosols

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

Alfisols

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

Mollisols

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

Vertisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 75% 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.

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