McCurtain County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Carnasaw, on about 16% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Clebit and Stapp come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 16% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 52% 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 McCurtain 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 McCurtain 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clebit-Carnasaw-Stapp association, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 240K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clebit-Carnasaw-Stapp association, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 159K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Clebit association, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Felker loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 51K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sherwood-Zafra complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 34K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Guyton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 30K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickens gravelly silt loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swink-Hollywood complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carnasaw-Zafra complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saffell gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blevins fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clebit-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 60 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guyton-Elysian complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kullit fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boggy-Pushmataha complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinn-Roebuck complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ceda gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tiak-Ruston complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well 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 81% 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 85% 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.