Yazoo County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Sharkey, on about 16% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Loring and Memphis come next.
About 38% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 40% of it.
USDA rates 93% 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: 38% 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 Yazoo 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 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 Yazoo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis-Natchez association, 12 to 50 percent slopes | 119K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morganfield silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 61K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, occasionally flooded | 54K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central | 42K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey and Forestdale soils, frequently flooded | 38K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central | 37K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falaya-Vicksburg-Leverett association, frequently flooded | 24K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded, east | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forestdale silty clay loam | 18K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Memphis silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adler silt loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land-Memphis complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Sharkey clay, depressional, occasionally flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dubbs silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sharkey silty clay loam, occasionally flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leverett silt loam | 9K | Well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dundee silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calloway silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | 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 steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.