Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Perry, on about 20% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Hebert and Portland come next.
About 17% of the land drains well, and 68% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 53% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% 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 Morehouse 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 Morehouse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 107K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hebert silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 58K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frizzell silt loam | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bussy silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sterlington silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tillou silt loam | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sterlington-Hebert complex, gently undulating | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portland clay | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rilla-Hebert silt loams complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rilla silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gallion silt loam | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 12K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Groom very fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Portland silt loam | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mer Rouge-Gallion complex | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Libuse silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton-Cascilla complex, frequently flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Idee-Forestdale complex | 8K | Poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Libuse silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | 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 70% 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 80% 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.