St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

Survey Area LA087• 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 St. Bernard 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	235K			Not rated	Not rated
Scatlake mucky clay, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, tidal	64K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lafitte muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	34K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Timbalier muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, tidal	34K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Clovelly muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	33K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bellpass muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	19K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Aquents, dredged, frequently flooded	18K	Very poorly drained	D	Not rated	Not rated
Fausse clay, saline	10K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Barbary clay	6K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Felicity loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Schriever silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	5K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cancienne silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Cancienne silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	3K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Harahan clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes	2K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Vacherie silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	1K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land	1K			Not rated	Not rated
Westwego clay, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes	991	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cancienne and Schriever soils, frequently flooded	536	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Harahan clay, frequently flooded	301	Poorly 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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Histosols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 46% 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.