Kemper County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS069• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Kemper 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
Wilcox silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	39K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sweatman fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	30K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sweatman fine sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded	30K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mooreville, Mantachie and Kinston soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	27K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sweatman fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	24K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, hilly, 8 to 35 percent slopes	23K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Houlka silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes, moderately eroded	21K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ruston fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	20K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Sweatman-Smithdale association, 5 to 12 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, 17 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Wilcox-Sweatman association, 8 to 17 percent slopes, severely eroded	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mantachie loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Quitman-Stough association, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ora fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sweatman-Smithdale association, 12 to 40 percent slopes, moderately eroded	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded	11K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Ruston association, 5 to 40 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Savannah fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sweatman fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat 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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 70% 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 94% 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.