Vernon Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Malbis, on about 16% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Guyton and Eastwood come next.
About 26% of the land drains well, and 33% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 29% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 22% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% of it.
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 Vernon 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Vernon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton-Iulus complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 102K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malbis fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 85K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Malbis fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 71K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 69K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirbyville-Niwana complex | 56K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton-Ouachita complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 49K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kisatchie-Rayburn fine sandy loams, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eastwood silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 27K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mayhew silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vaiden loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Betis loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hainesville fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trep loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Beauregard fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 57% 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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.