Claiborne County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS021• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Claiborne 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
Memphis and Natchez silt loams, 17 to 40 percent slopes, severely eroded	55K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis and Natchez silt loams, 17 to 40 percent slopes, eroded	41K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Rough broken land	26K			Very limited	Very limited
Falaya silt loam	26K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Collins silt loam	17K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mixed alluvial land	14K			Not rated	Not rated
Memphis silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded, south	13K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Water	13K			Not rated	Not rated
Bowdre, Tunica, and Crevasse soils, (bowdre, tunica and bruno)	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loring and Memphis silt loams, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded	11K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gullied land	10K			Very limited	Very limited
Memphis and Natchez silt loams, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Adler silt loam	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Crevasse, Commerce, and Robinsonville soils, (bruno, commerce and robinsonville)	6K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, severely eroded	6K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Memphis and Natchez silt loams, 12 to 17 percent slopes, severely eroded	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Grenada silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Calloway silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Loring and Memphis silt loams, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	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.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 79% 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 79% 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.