How to Read your USDA Soil Report
What Is a USDA Soil Report?
A USDA Soil Report is a detailed analysis of the soil properties on a given site, produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the National Cooperative Soil Survey. This report provides crucial information about soil composition, drainage characteristics, and potential limitations for various land uses.
As part of our Certified Drainage Report (CDR), we include a Custom Soil Resource Report to help homeowners in Horry and Georgetown Counties understand their property’s soil conditions and how they may impact drainage, landscaping, and construction in the Coastal Plain region.
Why Is the Soil Report Important?
Understanding your soil type can help you:
Assess drainage capabilities and potential water retention issues, which are especially important in the Coastal Plain where flat terrain can contribute to slow drainage.
Determine foundation suitability for buildings and driveways.
Identify flooding risks associated with soil permeability, a common concern in Horry and Georgetown Counties, where many properties are in low-lying areas.
Plan landscaping or stormwater management solutions suited to the unique soil conditions of the South Carolina Coastal Plain.
How to Read Your USDA Soil Report
Your Custom Soil Resource Report contains several key sections. Here’s how to interpret them:
1. Soil Map
The soil map shows the specific Area of Interest (AOI) on your property.
Different soil types are outlined, labeled, and mapped to show their distribution across the landscape. In Horry and Georgetown Counties, these maps help homeowners understand how their land interacts with the naturally occurring sandy, loamy, or clay-heavy soils found in the region.
2. Map Unit Legend
This section lists the Map Unit Symbol and Map Unit Name for each soil type present on your property.
The acres in AOI and percent of AOI indicate how much of the property is covered by each soil type.
3. Map Unit Descriptions
Each soil unit is described in detail, including:
Soil Series – The classification of the soil type.
Texture – Describes soil composition, such as sandy loam, clay, or silt. In the Coastal Plain, sandy soils dominate, impacting water absorption rates.
Slope – Indicates the degree of elevation change, important for drainage. Many properties in Horry and Georgetown Counties have minimal slope, which can contribute to standing water issues.
Drainage Class – Ranges from well-drained to somewhat poorly drained, affecting water retention and runoff. This is especially critical in areas near wetlands, creeks, or marshlands common to the region.
Hydric Soil Rating – Indicates if the soil is classified as hydric (wetland-associated), which may influence drainage and building restrictions, particularly in the low-lying Coastal Plain areas.
How This Information Affects Homeowners
Drainage & Flooding – Soils with high water tables or poor drainage may require grading adjustments or drainage solutions to prevent standing water. This is particularly relevant in Horry and Georgetown Counties, where seasonal flooding can impact property usability.
Landscaping & Gardening – Knowing soil composition helps in selecting appropriate plants and designing effective irrigation systems. The sandy soils of the Coastal Plain may require different landscaping approaches compared to inland regions.
How We Use USDA Soil Reports in Certified Drainage Reports
At Residential Drainage Engineering, LLC, we analyze the soil data in the Custom Soil Resource Report to provide homeowners with:
A clear understanding of how soil type affects drainage on their property, particularly within the South Carolina Coastal Plain.
General recommendations for improving drainage based on soil characteristics found in Horry and Georgetown Counties.
Practical insights for long-term property management in an area where high water tables and slow-draining soils can create unique challenges.
A USDA Soil Report is a valuable tool for understanding how soil characteristics influence drainage, construction, and land use. By incorporating this report into our Certified Drainage Reports (CDRs), we ensure that homeowners in Horry and Georgetown Counties have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their property.
Want to learn more? Contact Residential Drainage Engineering, LLC today for a Certified Drainage Report tailored to your property’s unique conditions in the South Carolina Coastal Plain!
