Georgetown County, South Carolina

Survey Area SC043• South Carolina

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/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 Georgetown 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
Bladen loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	51K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Yauhannah loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	50K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Wahee fine sandy loam	47K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bohicket silty clay loam	44K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	34K			Not rated	Not rated
Yemassee loamy fine sand	33K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chastain silty clay loam	29K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eulonia loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	26K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Levy silty clay loam	25K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cape Fear loam	20K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chipley fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	20K	Somewhat poorly drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Lakeland fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	20K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Leon sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	19K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Grifton loamy fine sand	18K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hobonny muck	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chisolm sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Johnston loam	14K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Echaw sand	12K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Wakulla sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Hobcaw loam	10K	Very poorly drained	B/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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

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 84% 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 93% 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.