Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA057• Louisiana

The dominant drainage class is Very 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 Lafourche 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
Water	215K			Not rated	Not rated
Barbary muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	97K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Timbalier-Bellpass association	87K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Allemands muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	65K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lafitte-Clovelly association, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	45K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	44K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cancienne silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	38K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Allemands-Larose association	38K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kenner muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	38K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fausse-Schriever association	33K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rita muck	28K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cancienne silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	23K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	21K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Scatlake muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, tidal	17K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bellpass-Scatlake association	13K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Allemands muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, drained	11K	Poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	6K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Scatlake-Felicity association	3K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rita variant muck	2K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Vacherie silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	2K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	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.

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.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 66% 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 73% 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.