Lauderdale County, Mississippi
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 71% 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 96% 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.