Sevier County Area, Tennessee

Survey Area TN608• Tennessee

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Sevier County Area, 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
Cataska-Sylco complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes	39K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nonaburg channery silt loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, severely eroded, rocky	34K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Unicoi-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes	19K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nonaburg channery silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded, rocky	17K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Junaluska-Cataska complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Steadman silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	16K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cataska channery silt loam, 25 to 80 percent slopes	11K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dewey silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Dewey silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Unicoi-Ditney-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Whitesburg silt loam, occasionally flooded	8K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Townley silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Waynesboro loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Decatur silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Talbott-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cataska channery silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes	3K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Braddock loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Pope sandy loam, occasionally flooded	3K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Sequatchie loam, rarely flooded	2K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Talbott-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, eroded	2K	Well drained	C	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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 89% 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 92% 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.