Soil Survey of Leflore County, Mississippi

2006·19.5 MB·English

by  USDA NRCS

United States In cooperation with Soil Survey of
Department of the Mississippi Agricultural
Agriculture and Forestry Experiment
Station, the Leflore County Leflore County,
Soil and Water
Conservation District, and
the Leflore County Board Mississippi
Natural of Supervisors
Resources
Conservation
Service

How To Use This Soil Survey
Detailed Soil Maps
The detailed soil maps can be useful in planning the use and management of small
areas.
To find information about your area of interest, locate that area on the Index to Map
Sheets. Note the number of the map sheet and turn to that sheet.
Locate your area of interest on the map sheet. Note the map unit symbols that are in
that area. Turn to the Contents, which lists the map units by symbol and name and
shows the page where each map unit is described.
The Contents shows which table has data on a specific land use for each detailed
soil map unit. Also see the Contents for sections of this publication that may address
your specific needs.
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This soil survey is a publication of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort
of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State
agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) has
leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
Major fieldwork for this soil survey was completed in 1992. Soil names and
descriptions were approved in 1995. Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this
publication refer to conditions in the survey area in 1995. This soil survey was made
cooperatively by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Mississippi
Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. It is part of the technical assistance
furnished to the Leflore County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Leflore County
Board of Supervisors provided financial assistance for the survey.
Soil maps in this survey may be copied without permission. Enlargement of these
maps, however, could cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping. If enlarged,
maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a
larger scale.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs
and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where
applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual
orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an
individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited
bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA’s TARGET Center at [phone] (voice and TDD). To file a complaint
of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call [phone] (voice) or (202) 720-
6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Cover: An excellent crop of cotton that is ready to be harvested in an area of the Dubbs-
Dundee complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes. The pivot irrigation system provides water as needed
throughout the growing season.
Additional information about the Nation’s natural resources is available online
from the Natural Resources Conservation Service at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
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Contents
How To Use This Soil Survey.......................................................................................i
Foreword....................................................................................................................vii
General Nature of the County...................................................................................... 2
Climate..................................................................................................................... 2
History and Development ........................................................................................ 3
Agriculture................................................................................................................ 3
How This Survey Was Made........................................................................................ 4
Map Unit Composition ............................................................................................. 5
Detailed Soil Map Units ............................................................................................. 7
1—Collins silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes .............................................................. 8
2—Collins silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.......................... 10
3—Alfic Udarents, loamy....................................................................................... 13
4—Alligator clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes.................................................................. 15
5—Alligator clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes.................................................................. 19
6—Alligator clay, depressional............................................................................... 22
7—Alligator, Tensas, and Dowling soils, frequently flooded .................................. 25
8—Arkabutla silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes............................................... 29
9—Arkabutla silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded ............ 32
10—Arkabutla and Falaya soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes, frequently flooded........... 34
11—Askew silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes........................................................... 37
12—Askew silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes........................................................... 40
13—Beulah fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.............................................. 43
14—Beulah fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes.............................................. 45
15—Bruno loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.................... 48
16—Dubbs loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes ................................................................ 51
17—Dubbs loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes ................................................................ 53
18—Dubbs very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes....................................... 56
19—Dubbs-Dundee complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes............................................. 58
20—Dubbs-Dundee-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes.......................... 61
21—Dundee loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.............................................................. 64
22—Falaya silt, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded................................. 67
23—Dowling muck................................................................................................. 70
24—Oaklimeter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded ................. 72
25—Pits-Udorthents complex................................................................................ 75
26—Silverdale loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded....... 76
27—Tensas silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes................................................. 78
28—Tensas silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes................................................. 81
29—Tensas silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes................................................. 84
30—Tensas-Alligator complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded......... 87
31—Tensas-Alligator-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes ........................ 90
32—Tutwiler very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes..................................... 94
33—Tutwiler very fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes..................................... 96
34—Urban land...................................................................................................... 99
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Prime Farmland and Other Important Farmland................................................. 101
Use and Management of the Soils........................................................................ 103
Crops and Pasture............................................................................................... 103
Yields per Acre................................................................................................ 104
Land Capability Classification ......................................................................... 105
Forestland Management and Productivity........................................................... 106
Forestland Understory Vegetation....................................................................... 108
Recreation ........................................................................................................... 108
Wildlife Habitat..................................................................................................... 109
Engineering ......................................................................................................... 112
Building Site Development .............................................................................. 113
Sanitary Facilities ............................................................................................ 114
Construction Materials .................................................................................... 115
Water Management......................................................................................... 117
Soil Properties........................................................................................................ 119
Engineering Properties........................................................................................ 119
Physical and Chemical Properties....................................................................... 121
Risk of Corrosion................................................................................................. 123
Water Features.................................................................................................... 123
Classification of the Soils..................................................................................... 125
Soil Series and Their Morphology............................................................................ 126
Alligator Series .................................................................................................... 126
Arkabutla Series .................................................................................................. 128
Askew Series....................................................................................................... 129
Beulah Series ...................................................................................................... 131
Bruno Series........................................................................................................ 132
Collins Series....................................................................................................... 133
Dowling Series..................................................................................................... 134
Dubbs Series....................................................................................................... 135
Dundee Series..................................................................................................... 136
Falaya Series....................................................................................................... 138
Oaklimeter Series................................................................................................ 139
Silverdale Series.................................................................................................. 140
Tensas Series...................................................................................................... 141
Tutwiler Series ..................................................................................................... 144
Formation of the Soils........................................................................................... 147
Factors of Soil Formation..................................................................................... 147
Parent Material................................................................................................ 147
Climate ............................................................................................................ 148
Plant and Animal Life....................................................................................... 148
Relief ............................................................................................................... 149
Time................................................................................................................. 149
Processes of Horizon Differentiation................................................................... 149
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References.............................................................................................................. 151
Glossary.................................................................................................................. 153
Tables...................................................................................................................... 163
Table 1.—Temperature and Precipitation ............................................................ 164
Table 2.—Freeze Dates in Spring and Fall.......................................................... 165
Table 3.—Growing Season.................................................................................. 165
Table 4.—Acreage and Proportionate Extent of the Soils................................... 166
Table 5.—Prime Farmland and Other Important Farmland ................................. 167
Table 6.—Land Capability and Yields per Acre of Crops..................................... 168
Table 7.—Land Capability and Yields per Acre of Pastureland ........................... 171
Table 8.—Forestland Management and Productivity........................................... 174
Table 9.—Forestland Understory Vegetation....................................................... 183
Table 10.—Camp Areas, Picnic Areas, and Playgrounds ...................................186
Table 11.—Paths, Trails, and Golf Fairways......................................................... 191
Table 12a.—Wildlife Habitat (Part 1).................................................................... 195
Table 12b.—Wildlife Habitat (Part 2).................................................................... 200
Table 12c.—Wildlife Habitat (Part 3).................................................................... 205
Table 12d.—Wildlife Habitat (Part 4).................................................................... 209
Table 13.—Dwellings and Small Commercial Buildings...................................... 214
Table 14.—Roads and Streets, Shallow Excavations, and Lawns and
Landscaping.................................................................................................. 219
Table 15.—Sewage Disposal............................................................................... 224
Table 16.—Landfills ............................................................................................. 230
Table 17.—Source of Reclamation Material, Roadfill, and Topsoil...................... 235
Table 18.—Source of Gravel and Sand ............................................................... 240
Table 19.—Ponds and Embankments ................................................................. 244
Table 20.—Water Management........................................................................... 248
Table 21.—Engineering Properties...................................................................... 253
Table 22.—Physical Soil Properties..................................................................... 263
Table 23.—Chemical Soil Properties................................................................... 268
Table 24.—Risk of Corrosion............................................................................... 272
Table 25.—Water Features.................................................................................. 275
Table 26.—Taxonomic Classification of the Soils................................................ 281
Issued November 2006
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Foreword
This soil survey contains information that can be used in land-planning programs in
Leflore County. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The
survey also highlights limitations and hazards inherent in the soil, improvements
needed to overcome the limitations, and the impact of selected land uses on the
environment.
This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, ranchers, foresters,
and agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management
needed for maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials,
engineers, developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land
use, select sites for construction, and identify special practices needed to ensure
proper performance. Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in
recreation, wildlife management, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the
survey to help them understand, protect, and enhance the environment.
Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may impose
special restrictions on land use or land treatment. The information in this report is
intended to identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or land
treatment decisions. Statements made in this report are intended to help the land
users identify and reduce the effects of soil limitations on various land uses. The
landowner or user is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and
regulations.
Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils
are seasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are too unstable to be used as a
foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils are poorly suited to use as
septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soil poorly suited to
basements or underground installations.
These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in this soil
survey. The location of each soil is shown on the detailed soil maps. Each soil in the
survey area is described. Information on specific uses is given for each soil. Help in
using this publication and additional information are available at the local office of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Cooperative Extension Service.
Homer L. Wilkes
State Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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