Calhoun County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Dulac, on about 18% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Falaya and Cuthbert come next.
About 35% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 33% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 36% 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 Calhoun 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 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 Calhoun 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuthbert, Dulac, and Ruston soils, 12 to 35 percent slopes (sweatman, providence and smithdale) | 94K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam (oaklimeter) | 42K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land | 26K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Falaya silt loam, local alluvium (oaklimeter) | 25K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert, Dulac, and Ruston soils, 12 to 35 percent slopes. severely eroded (sweatman, providence and smithdale) | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dulac silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urbo silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waverly silt loam (rosebloom) | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins silt loam (oaklimeter) | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chastain silt loam (una) | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chastain silty clay loam (una) | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dulac silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatchie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg and Eustis soils, 17 to 35 percent slopes (smithdale and troup) | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatchie silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded (bude) | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Almo silt loam (henry) | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert-Dulac and Ruston soils, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded (sweatman, providence and smithdale) | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dulac silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 97% 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.