Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA071• 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Orleans 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	121K			Not rated	Not rated
Clovelly muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	18K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	18K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lafitte muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Harahan clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Aquents, dredged, frequently flooded	8K	Very poorly drained	D	Not rated	Not rated
Aquents, dredged	7K	Very poorly drained	D	Not rated	Not rated
Cancienne silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Allemands muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, drained	5K	Poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Kenner muck drained	4K	Poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Westwego clay, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes	4K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land	3K			Not rated	Not rated
Gentilly muck, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	3K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cancienne silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	2K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Schriever silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	1K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Levees-Borrow pits complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes	677	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Not rated	Not rated
Cancienne and Schriever soils, frequently flooded	546	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dumps	418			Not rated	Not rated

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.

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.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 37% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.