Tallahatchie County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Alligator, on about 25% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Memphis and Dundee come next.
About 24% of the land drains well, and 60% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 47% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% 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 Tallahatchie 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 Tallahatchie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 65K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator clay, depressional | 41K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 35K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya silt loam | 24K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collins silt loam | 22K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 17 to 40 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land-Memphis complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 19K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Forestdale silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dubbs very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee and Tensas silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 13K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Memphis silt loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes, severely eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 17 to 40 percent slopes, severely eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alligator silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waverly silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya-Waverly association | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun-Bonn complex | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 91% 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 92% 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.