St. James Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Barbary, on about 35% of the land: a mucky clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Schriever and Cancienne come next.
About 0% of the land drains well, and 92% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 73% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 53% 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 St. James 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 St. James 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbary soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 67K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cancienne silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 17K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 15K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gramercy silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cancienne silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vacherie very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carville silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban and built up land | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Carville and Cancienne soils, gently undulating, frequently flooded | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Industrial waste | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Levees-Borrow pits complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Thibaut clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 997 | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 75% 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.