Benton County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Smithdale, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Lax and Hawthorne come next.
About 48% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 41% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Benton County, Tennessee, 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 82% 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 90% 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.