DeSoto County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS033• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Moderately 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 DeSoto 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
Gullied land, Loring soil material	45K			Very limited	Very limited
Collins silt loam (adler)	33K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Collins and Falaya silt loams, local alluvium phases	29K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	17K			Not rated	Not rated
Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase	15K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded sloping phase	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Grenada silt loam, severely eroded, gently sloping phase	12K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central	11K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Falaya silt loam (arkabutla)	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Falaya silty clay loam (arkabutla)	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, northern phase	9K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Gullied land, Grenada soil material	7K			Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded very gently sloping phase	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Grenada silt loam, eroded, very gently sloping phase	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Vicksburg and Collins silt loams, local alluvium phases	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silty clay loam, severely eroded strongly sloping phase	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dundee very fine sandy loam, nearly level phase	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Alluvial soils	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silty clay loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase	4K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Grenada silt loam, severely eroded sloping phase (loring)	4K	Moderately well drained	C	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.

Entisols

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

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 84% 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 84% 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.