Henderson County, Tennessee
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Henderson County, Tennessee.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderately gullied land Lexington-Ruston materials complex (Lexington-Smithdale) | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beechy silt loam (Bibb) | 27K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lexington-Ruston soils, moderately steep phases complex (Lexington-Smithdale) | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ina silt loam, local alluvium phase (Arkabutla) | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ina silt loam (Mantachie) | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lexington-Ruston soils, severely eroded moderately steep phases complex (Lexington-Smithdale) | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert-Silerton soils, moderately steep phases complex (Luverne-Silerton) | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lexington silty clay loam, severely eroded sloping phase | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Moderately gullied land, Cuthbert-Silerton materials complex (Luverne-Silerton) | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Severely gullied land, Lexington-Ruston materials complex (Lexington-Smithdale) | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hymon silt loam, local alluvium phase (Collins) | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lexington silt loam, eroded gently sloping phase | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ina fine sandy loam, local alluvium phase (Mantachie) | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lexington-Ruston soils, severely eroded sloping phases complex (Lexington-Smithdale) | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hymon fine sandy loam, local alluvium phase (Iuka) | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freeland silt loam, eroded gently sloping phase | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Silerton silty clay loam, severely eroded sloping phase | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Beechy fine sandy loam (Bibb) | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta-Cuthbert loams, moderately steep phases complex (Shubuta-Luverne) | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 83% 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 98% 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.