Lawrence County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Bodine, on about 37% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Sugargrove and Greendale come next.
About 80% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% of it.
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 Lawrence 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 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 Lawrence 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 cherty silt loam, steep phase | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silt loam, eroded, gently sloping shallow phase | 33K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bodine gravelly silt loam, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine cherty silt loam, eroded moderately steep phase | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine cherty silt loam, eroded sloping phase | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silt loam, gently sloping shallow phase | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Greendale cherty silt loam | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bodine cherty silt loam, eroded steep phase | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silt loam, eroded, sloping shallow phase | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bodine cherty silt loam, sloping phase | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lobelville silt loam, local alluvium phase | 12K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dickson silt loam, eroded gently sloping phase | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lobelville cherty silt loam | 8K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silt loam, sloping shallow phase | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Guthrie silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountview silty clay loam, severely eroded sloping shallow phase | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bewleyville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ennis silt loam | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodine cherty silt loam, eroded gently sloping phase | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 60% 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 65% 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.