Humphreys County, Tennessee

Survey Area TN085• Tennessee

The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively 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 Humphreys 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
Bodine gravelly silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes	110K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Bodine gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes	59K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dickson silt loam, shallow	40K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Humphreys gravelly silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	33K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bodine gravelly silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Water	20K			Not rated	Not rated
Humphreys silt loam	12K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Paden silt loam, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ennis silt loam	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Paden silt loam	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dickson silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Baxter cherty silt loam	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Paden silt loam, slope	3K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lindside silt loam	3K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Huntington silt loam	3K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Melvin silt loam	3K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Etowah silt loam	2K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Riverwash	2K	Excessively drained		Very limited	Very limited
Ennis gravelly silt loam	2K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dickson silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes	2K	Moderately well drained	C/D	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.

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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 77% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.