Smith County, Tennessee
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Smith County, Tennessee.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwood-Mimosa-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa-Ashwood complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes, rocky | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawthorne gravelly silt loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dellrose gravelly silt loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arrington silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa-Ashwood complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Barfield-Ashwood-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Talbott-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armour silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Armour silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sandhill channery silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Inman flaggy silty clay loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hicks silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Inman-Sandhill complex, 10 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talbott silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindell silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawthorne gravelly silt loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ocana gravelly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barfield-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 82% 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 94% 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.