Harrison County, Texas
The most common soil here is Eastwood, on about 11% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cuthbert and Scottsville come next.
About 53% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 44% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 18% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Harrison County, Texas, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Harrison County, Texas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsville-Latex complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 84K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Iulus fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 34K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernaldo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sardis-Mathiston complex, frequently flooded | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Warnock loamy fine sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mooreville-Mantachie complex, frequently flooded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latex fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin very fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lilbert loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sawyer very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacul very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Socagee silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catuna-Scottsville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wolfpen loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 44% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.