St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 178K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Stough fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 90K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 59K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arkabutla and Rosebloom soils, frequently flooded | 53K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 37K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ouachita and Bibb soils, frequently flooded | 33K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arat silty clay loam | 22K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Abita silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clovelly muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 13K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Larose muck, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, tidal | 13K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lafitte muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latonia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brimstone-Guyton silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 72% 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 73% 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.