Rankin County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS121• Mississippi

The dominant drainage class is Moderately 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 Rankin 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
Smithdale-Providence association, 8 to 35 percent slopes	48K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Providence complex, 8 to 17 percent slopes	40K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Kipling-Falkner association, undulating	36K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	25K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	23K			Not rated	Not rated
Savannah-Quitman association, undulating	22K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cascilla-Arkabutla association, frequently flooded	21K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Savannah loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	21K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	20K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kipling silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	19K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Savannah loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	19K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale fine sandy loam, 8 to 17 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Providence-Tippah association, undulating	17K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Quitman loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	17K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Oaklimeter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, north	15K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Kirkville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	15K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Urbo-Arkabutla association, frequently flooded	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tippah silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gillsburg silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tippah silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Moderately well drained	C	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 80% 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 94% 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.