East Carroll Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA035• 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 East Carroll 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
Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, south	95K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	21K			Not rated	Not rated
Commerce and Bruin soils, frequently flooded	18K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tunica clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	16K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Commerce silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Commerce silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Tensas silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dundee silty clay loam	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Newellton silty clay	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tensas-Dundee complex, gently undulating	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sharkey silty clay loam	9K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tunica-Sharkey clays, gently undulating	9K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Crevasse fine sand, frequently flooded	7K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tunica and Sharkey soils, frequently flooded	5K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Newellton-Tunica complex, gently undulating	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bruin-Commerce silt loams, gently undulating	5K	Moderately well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Newellton and Tunica soils, frequently flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Newellton-Goldman complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tensas-Sharkey complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, gently undulating	3K	Somewhat 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.

Inceptisols

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

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.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 76% 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 92% 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.