Beaufort County, South Carolina

Survey Area SC013• South Carolina

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Beaufort County, South Carolina. 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
Bohicket association	100K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	71K			Not rated	Not rated
Capers association	38K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wando fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	27K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Seabrook fine sand	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Bladen fine sandy loam	20K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Coosaw loamy fine sand	20K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Rosedhu fine sand	13K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Williman loamy fine sand	13K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seewee fine sand	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ridgeland fine sand	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Wahee fine sandy loam	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Polawana loamy fine sand	8K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Fripp-Baratari complex	8K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Santee fine sandy loam	6K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Deloss fine sandy loam	6K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tomotley loamy fine sand	6K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nemours fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Murad fine sand	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	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.

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 82% 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.