Lafayette County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS071• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Lafayette 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
Smithdale-Toinette association, 12 to 40 percent slopes	89K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Maben-Smithdale-Tippah association, hilly	66K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, eroded	53K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	31K			Not rated	Not rated
Smithdale-Udorthents association, gullied	27K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Chenneby silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Udorthents complex, gullied	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Arkabutla-Chenneby association, frequently flooded	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Arkabutla silt loam, occasionally flooded	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lexington silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	12K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Ochlockonee sandy loam, occasionally flooded	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lexington silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lexington silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Cascilla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ochlockonee-Bruno association, frequently flooded	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Wilcox-Tippah association, hilly	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Oaklimeter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, north	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central	4K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Maben fine sandy loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes	4K	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.

Inceptisols

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

Ultisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 85% 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 92% 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.