Grant Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Smithdale, on about 15% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Ruston and Cadeville come next.
About 38% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 53% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 15% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% of it.
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 Grant 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Grant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Guyton and Cascilla soils, frequently flooded | 41K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenmora silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malbis fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cadeville very fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 29K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caddo silt loam | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gore silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Ruston-Smithdale association, moderately rolling | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cadeville very fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Una silty clay, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Metcalf very fine sandy loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gore silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moist | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kolin silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreland clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreland clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rigolette-Kisatchie association, hilly | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston-Cadeville association, moderately rolling | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 53% 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 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
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.