Choctaw County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Bosville, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Bernow and Hollywood come next.
About 42% of the land drains well, and 20% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 29% of it.
USDA rates 66% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% of it.
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 Choctaw County, Oklahoma, 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 Moderately well 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 Choctaw County, Oklahoma. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskogee silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bosville fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha-Kirvin association, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bernow-Romia complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Swink-Hollywood complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bosville fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 21K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Hollywood-Swink complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrightsville-Elysian complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boggy fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bosville fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trinity clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hopco silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollywood silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Panola silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow-Romia complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kaufman clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow, Bosville, and Romia soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes, gullied | 8K | 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 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 66% 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.