Marshall County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Loring, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cahaba and Providence come next.
About 35% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 42% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 95% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% 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 Marshall 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 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 Marshall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gullied land-Cahaba complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes (smithdale) | 71K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Gullied land-Loring complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 47K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central | 35K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba-Providence complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded (smithdale, providence) | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba and Lexington soils, 12 to 30 percent slopes (smithdale, lexington) | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vicksburg silt loam | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded, central | 20K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence-Cahaba complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes (providence, smithdale) | 14K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cascilla silt loam | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Collins-Arkabutla-Falaya association | 11K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vicksburg and Ochlockonee soils | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luverne-Susquehanna association, hilly (sweatman, susquehanna) | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence-Cahaba association, hilly (providence, smithdale) | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Providence silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenada silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba-Lexington association, hilly (smithdale, lexington) | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arkabutla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arkabutla-Rosebloom association | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/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 95% 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 95% 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.