Alcorn County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS003• Mississippi

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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

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.