Panola County, Texas
The most common soil here is Eastwood, on about 25% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Scottsville and Latex come next.
About 37% of the land drains well, and 26% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 58% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 23% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Panola 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Panola 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 | 134K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 86K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Estes-Mantachie association | 42K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nahatche complex | 38K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattex clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latex fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Catuna-Scottsville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keatchie fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Marietta fine sandy loam | 11K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latch-Mollville, frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Iulus fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrightsville-Cart complex | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrightsville-Timpson complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bienville loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lilbert loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water greater than 40 acres in size | 7K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Darco loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sacul fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, 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
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.