Benton County, Tennessee

Survey Area TN005• Tennessee

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Benton County, Tennessee. 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
Sugargrove-Sengtown-Hawthorne complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes	32K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	26K			Not rated	Not rated
Lax silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	25K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hawthorne, Sengtown, and Sugargrove soils, 25 to 70 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Luverne complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dulac-Tippah complex, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	12K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Iuka loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Riverby-Ennis complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	8K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, north	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dulac-Tippah complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hawthorne gravelly silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Providence complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Chenneby silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Luverne complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	5K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lobelville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale, Toinette and Luverne soils, 25 to 60 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lax silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	3K	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.

Alfisols

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

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 88% 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.