Soil survey area

Le Flore County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK079• Oklahoma
The short version

The most common soil here is Carnasaw, on about 22% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Bengal and Pirum come next.

About 70% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.

USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 93% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 39% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Carnasaw
22% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Bengal
11% of the area
Stony loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Ultisols
Pirum
8% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Neff
7% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Alfisols
Octavia
6% of the area
Stony fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Stigler
5% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Alfisols

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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Le Flore County, Oklahoma. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Carnasaw stony loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony 70K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Carnasaw stony loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes 66K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Carnasaw-Pirum complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes 63K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Bengal-Clebit association, 3 to 15 percent 58K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Neff silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 53K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Stigler silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 49K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Pirum-Octavia-Panama association, 30 to 50 percent slopes 38K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Kenn-Ceda complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 36K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Bengal-Octavia-Tuskahoma complex, 4 to 20 percent slopes 36K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Bengal-Pirum-Clebit complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes 34K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Neff and Rexor soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 30K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Carnasaw-Octavia complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky 28K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Wister silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 25K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Sherless-Bengal complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes 24K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Carnasaw-Clebit complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes 23K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Carnasaw-Octavia complex, 35 to 50 percent slopes 22K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Pirum-Clebit complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes 21K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Pirum-Carnasaw-Caston complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes, cool 20K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Shermore fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded 19K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Octavia-Carnasaw complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, cool 18K Well drainedBVery limitedVery 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.

Ultisols
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Vertisols
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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