Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Commerce, on about 39% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Sharkey and Robinsonville come next.
About 10% of the land drains well, and 80% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 37% 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 Pointe Coupee 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Pointe Coupee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce silty clay loam | 72K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, deltaic plain | 32K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Robinsonville and Commerce soils, occasionally flooded | 31K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey soils, occasionally flooded | 27K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 26K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Commerce soils, occasionally flooded | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, deltaic plain | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey-Tunica complex, gently undulating | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey soils, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silty clay loam, gently undulating | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Convent silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee-Alligator complex, undulating | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Convent silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bruin very fine sandy loam, gently undulating | 6K | Moderately well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sterlington silt loam | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dowling clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, deltaic plain | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey silty clay loam | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruin very fine sandy loam | 4K | Moderately well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 89% 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.