Lake County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Commerce, on about 12% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Reelfoot and Bruin come next.
About 10% of the land drains well, and 57% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 46% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 51% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Lake 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Lake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Reelfoot silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, north | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roellen silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commerce silt loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tiptonville silt loam | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bowdre silty clay | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruin silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, brief | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roellen-Openlake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruin very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Robinsonville fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crevasse loamy sand | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bowdre silty clay, frequently flooded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swamp (Rosebloom, ponded) | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruno soils and alluvial land | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reelfoot silty clay loam | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bruin silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reelfoot-Bruno complex | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Levees and borrow pits (Levees and Mhoon) | 2K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 74% 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 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.