Lawrence County, Tennessee
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 59% 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 66% 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.