Calhoun County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS013• 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 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.

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.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Ultisols

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

Entisols

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

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 98% 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.