Iberia Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA045• Louisiana

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Iberia 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
Lafitte association	57K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Jeanerette silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	54K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	53K			Not rated	Not rated
Fausse soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	43K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Scatlake association	21K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Baldwin silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	18K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Maurepas association	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Fausse-Carville association	17K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fausse association, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	16K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Iberia silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Loreauville silt loam	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Patoutville silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	10K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Placedo association	8K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Coteau silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Galvez silt loam	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Delcomb association	5K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	5K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gallion-Perry complex, gently undulating	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Andry association	4K	Very poorly drained	C/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.

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.

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.

Mollisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 84% 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 84% 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.