Covington County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Smithdale, on about 18% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Ruston and Ora come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 19% 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 Covington 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Covington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 72% 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 80% 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.