Pontotoc County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS115• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Pontotoc 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
Tippah-Providence-Wilcox association, hilly	34K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Oktibbeha-Ruston association, hilly (oktibbeha, smithdale)	26K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Arkabutla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	21K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence-Gullied land complex, 17 to 30 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, 12 to 40 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Urbo silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Falkner silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mayhew silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Atwood silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded	7K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Marietta loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	7K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ora loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Mayhew silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	6K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, heavy substratum, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded (dulac)	6K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ora loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Cascilla silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Atwood silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	5K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Frizzell silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Mantachie sandy loam	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Falaya soils (gillsburg)	5K	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.

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.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 86% 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 100% 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.