Livingston Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Satsuma, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Gilbert and Barbary come next.
About 9% of the land drains well, and 82% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 79% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 48% 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 Livingston 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Livingston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satsuma silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 47K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilbert-Brimstone silt loams, occasionally flooded | 42K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barbary muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 40K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ouachita, Ochlockonee and Guyton soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 37K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 36K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Colyell silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springfield silt loam | 29K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Encrow silt loam, occasionally flooded | 29K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilbert silt loam | 22K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 21K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maurepas muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deerford-Verdun complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Natalbany silty clay loam, frequently flooded | 13K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colyell-Springfield silt loams, frequently flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stough fine sandy loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bude silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toula silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 90% 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 91% 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.