Marshall County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS093• 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 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.

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.

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 100% 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.