Monroe County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Ranger, on about 17% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Tellico and Sylco come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 46% 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 Monroe 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 79% 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 82% 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.