Bradley County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Montevallo, on about 17% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Fullerton and Sequoia come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 42% 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 Bradley 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Bradley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevallo shaly silt loam, eroded rolling phase | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sequoia silty clay loam, eroded rolling phase | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lehew-Montevallo loams, steep phases | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotaco silt loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo shaly silt loam, eroded hilly phase | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hamblen silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, hydric minor component | 6K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo shaly silt loam, hilly phase | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sequoia silty clay loam, eroded undulating phase | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo channery silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montevallo and Muskingum soils, steep phases | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville cherty silt loam, hilly phase | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minvale silt loam, eroded rolling phase | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sequoia silty clay, severely eroded rolling phase | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Apison silt loam, eroded undulating phase | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Prader silt loam (Melvin) | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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.