Charleston County Area, South Carolina

Survey Area SC690• South Carolina

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Charleston County Area, 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
Tidal marsh, soft	120K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	70K			Not rated	Not rated
Wadmalaw fine sandy loam	39K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Yonges loamy fine sand	38K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Capers silty clay loam	32K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chipley loamy fine sand	31K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Rutlege loamy fine sand	28K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Wando loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	24K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Urban land-Yauhannah-Yemassee-Ogeechee association	23K			Not limited	Very limited
Seabrook loamy fine sand	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Hockley loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Kiawah loamy fine sand	19K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seewee complex	16K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dawhoo and rutlege loamy fine sand	16K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Stono fine sandy loam	16K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Edisto loamy fine sand	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
St. Johns fine sand	11K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lakeland sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Meggett clay loam	10K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Charleston loamy fine sand	10K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat 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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Spodosols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 87% 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.