New Madrid County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Sharkey, on about 25% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Gideon and Dundee come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 81% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 81% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 35% 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 New Madrid County, Missouri, 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 New Madrid County, Missouri. 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 silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 57K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gideon loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 51K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, north | 34K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 30K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wardell loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 21K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bosket fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lilbourn fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gideon clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Subaqueous | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Alligator silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Levees-Borrow pits complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Commerce silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bosket fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gideon loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broseley loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Forestdale silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farrenburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sikeston sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sikeston loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/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 90% 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 94% 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.