Alcorn County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Ora, on about 14% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Providence and Ruston come next.
About 32% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 41% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 88% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 25% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 17% 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 Alcorn County, Mississippi, 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 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 Alcorn County, Mississippi. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithdale-Ruston association, 5 to 35 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston-Shubuta-Linker association, hilly | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land-Ruston complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes-ruston, (smithdale) | 26K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Arkabutla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mantachie fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ruston-Linker association, hilly | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paden silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, severely eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosebloom-Arkabutla association, frequently flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora-Shubuta complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bude silt loam | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wehadkee-Mantachie association, frequently flooded (wehadkee, kinston) | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Henry silt loam | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wehadkee-Mantachie complex (wehadkee, kinston) | 2K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tippah-Providence complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence silt loam, heavy substratum, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded (dulac) | 2K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C/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 88% 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 99% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.