West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
The most common soil here is Feliciana, on about 27% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Loring and Sharkey come next.
About 58% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 33% 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 West Feliciana 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 West Feliciana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feliciana and Natchez silt loams, 8 to 60 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Feliciana silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tunica and Sharkey soils, undulating, frequently flooded | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morganfield and Bigbee soils, frequently flooded | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 18K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Loring silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Feliciana silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Smithdale sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Robinsonville and Convent soils, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce soils, gently undulating, occasionally flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dowling soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weyanoke silt, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey soils, frequently flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ouachita, Ochlockonee and Guyton soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tangi silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Convent silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Commerce soils, gently undulating, frequently flooded | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tangi silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, deltaic plain | 2K | 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.