Monroe County, Tennessee

Survey Area TN123• Tennessee

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Monroe 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
Ranger channery silt loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes	63K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sylco channery silt loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes	29K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Citico channery silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ditney loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Brookshire loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tellico loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	10K			Not rated	Not rated
Wallen gravelly fine sandy loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ranger channery silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dewey-Collegedale complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Dewey silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Hamblen silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Decatur silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Spivey cobbly loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dandridge shaly silty clay loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes	5K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Jeffrey cobbly loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Tellico clay loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Fullerton cherty silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 84% 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.