Lauderdale County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Sweatman, on about 33% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Smithdale and Ora come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 15% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 27% of it.
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 Lauderdale 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 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 Lauderdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweatman association, 5 to 35 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arundel-Sweatman-Smithdale association, 5 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sweatman fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sweatman-Smithdale complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sweatman fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quitman loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale-Lucy complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sweatman fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daleville-Jena association, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirkville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lucy-Heidel association, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ora fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sweatman fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sweatman fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirkville-Bibb complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daleville loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jena fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 68% 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 93% 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.