Covington County, Mississippi
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Covington County, Mississippi.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes (smithdale) | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ochlockonee, Mantachie, and Iuka soils (jena, oaklimeter, and jena) | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wadley-Toinette-Smithdale association, 12 to 40 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bibb and Waverly soils (rosebloom, rosebloom) | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt silt loam, (trebloc) | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Savannah loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes, eroded (smithdale) | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stough fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mantachie and Falaya soils (oaklimeter and gillsburg) | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boswell and Savannah soils, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 17 to 40 percent slopes (smithdale) | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded (smithdale) | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Swamp (johnston loam) | 5K | Very poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 75% 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 77% 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.