Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Darley, on about 22% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Sacul and Eastwood come next.
About 64% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 12% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% 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 Claiborne 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Claiborne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton-Ouachita silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 56K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darley gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darley-Sacul complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wolfpen loamy sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Darley gravelly loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sacul very fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 41K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Iuka-Dela complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 27K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mahan fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Angie very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Mahan fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Flo loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Flo loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Darbonne loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 89% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.