Franklin County, Tennessee

Survey Area TN051• Tennessee

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 Franklin 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
Rockland, limestone, steep and very steep	64K			Not rated	Not rated
Hartsells fine sandy loam, rolling and undulating phases	21K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cumberland and Etowah silty clay loams, eroded undulating phase	17K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Rockland, limestone, hilly and rolling	16K			Not rated	Not rated
Water	14K			Not rated	Not rated
Dickson silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dickson silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Emory silt loam	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Muskingum stony fine sandy loam, hilly phase (Ramsey)	11K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bouldery colluvium, Jefferson soil material (Bouldin)	10K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Baxter cherty silt loam, eroded rolling phase	10K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Dewey silty clay loam, eroded undulating phase	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Lawrence silt loam	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bodine cherty silt loam, eroded steep phase	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Rockland, sandstone, very steep	5K			Not rated	Not rated
Whitwell loam	5K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ooltewah silt loam (Hamblen)	5K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Mountview silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Baxter cherty silt loam, rolling phase	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Cumberland and Etowah silty clay loams, eroded rolling phase	4K	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.

Ultisols

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

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 42% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.