Oconee County Area, South Carolina
The most common soil here is Cecil, on about 32% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Pacolet and Hayesville come next.
About 89% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 56% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Oconee County Area, South Carolina, 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 Oconee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 31K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hayesville and Cecil fine sandy loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hayesville and Cecil fine sandy loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pacolet clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Halewood fine sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riverview-Chewacla complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hayesville and Cecil fine sandy loams, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd clay loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gullied land, hilly | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lloyd sandy loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talladega and Chandler loams, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 7K | 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 55% 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 56% 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.