Hardeman County, Tennessee

Survey Area TN069• 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 Hardeman 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
Smithdale loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded	54K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale and Toinette soils, 20 to 45 percent slopes	43K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Luverne and Smithdale sandy loams, 25 to 45 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale and Lexington soils, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	23K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lexington silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded	21K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Chenneby and Amagon soils, frequently flooded	20K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Luverne and Smithdale soils, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded	19K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Rosebloom and Bibb soils, frequently flooded	16K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lexington silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, severely eroded	14K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Iuka silt loam, occasionally flooded	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lexington silty clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded	13K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Gullied land-Hapudults complex, very steep	12K			Not rated	Not rated
Chenneby silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ochlockonee silt loam, rarely flooded	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silty clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded	8K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chenneby and Enville soils, frequently flooded	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Enville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kurk silt loam	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tippah-Luverne complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	6K	Moderately 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.

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.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 96% 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.