Quitman County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Alligator, on about 27% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Dowling and Dundee come next.
About 6% of the land drains well, and 90% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 79% of it.
USDA rates 98% 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: 22% 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 Quitman 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Quitman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowling clay and silty clay (sharkey) | 47K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator and Dowling clays (sharkey) | 46K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator and Sharkey clays, nearly level phases | 28K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forestdale silty clay loam, nearly level phase | 17K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee fine sandy loam, nearly level phase | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brittain silty clay loam, nearly level phase (amagon) | 15K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator silty clay, nearly level phase | 13K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forestdale silt loam, nearly level phase | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brittain soils-waverly soils, local alluvium phases (amagon, rosebloom) | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Dubbs fine sandy loam, nearly level phase | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey silty clay, nearly level phase | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, brief duration | 3K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, east | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pearson silty clay loam, nearly level phase (dubbs) | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bosket sandy loam, nearly level phase (dubbs) | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Beulah sandy loam, nearly level phases | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brittain silt loam, nearly level phase (amagon) | 2K | Poorly drained | C/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 poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.