Decatur County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Savannah, on about 15% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Bodine and Talbott come next.
About 56% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 19% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 13% 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 Decatur 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Decatur 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAVANNAH LOAM, ROLLING PHASE | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine gravelly silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talbott-Rock outcrop, hilly phase | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine gravelly silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| SAVANNAH LOAM, ERODED ROLLING PHASE | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| LUVERNE-SAVANNAH FINE SANDY LOAMS, HILLY PHASES | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| WATER | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| COLLINS SILT LOAM | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| BIBB SILT LOAM | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| SAVANNAH CLAY LOAM, SEVERELY ERODED ROLLING PHASE | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindell silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mantachie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| SMITHDALE FINE SANDY LOAM, HILLY PHASE | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emory silt loam | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Humphreys cherty silt loam, undulating phase | 4K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pruitton silt loam | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iuka fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dickson silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| LUVERNE FINE SANDY LOAM, HILLY PHASE | 3K | Well drained | C | 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 85% 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 93% 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.