Iberia Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Fausse, on about 13% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Jeanerette and Lafitte come next.
About 2% of the land drains well, and 85% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 84% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 52% 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 Iberia 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 85% 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 85% 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.