St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Sharkey, on about 17% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Gallion and Lebeau come next.
About 14% of the land drains well, and 83% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 70% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 20% 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. Landry 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 St. Landry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, deltaic plain | 53K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gallion silt loam | 52K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Frost silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lebeau clay, occasionally flooded | 31K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lebeau clay | 29K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baldwin silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baldwin-Sharkey complex, gently undulating | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Patoutville silt, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dowling clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, deltaic plain | 23K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 22K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Patoutville-Crowley complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeanerette silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coteau silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, deltaic plain | 15K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Convent very fine sandy loam, gently undulating | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tensas-Sharkey complex, gently undulating | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 11K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 76% 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 83% 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.