Grenada County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Falaya, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Memphis and Waverly come next.
About 25% of the land drains well, and 31% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 51% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 30% 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 Grenada 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Grenada 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falaya silt loam | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land, silty | 20K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Gullied land, sandy | 17K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Cuthbert-Ruston association, hilly (sweatman, smithdale) | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 16K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Collins silt loam | 12K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston-Cuthbert association, hilly (smithdale, sweatman) | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waverly-Falaya association | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam, local alluvium | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waverly silt loam | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 17 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya-Collins association | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence-Loring association, hilly (providence-memphis) | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Land subject to inundation | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Calloway silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston-Providence association, hilly (smithdale, providence) | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded, central | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 89% 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 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.