Soil series profile
Amy soil series
Amy is a poorly drained soil with a silt loam surface, mapped on 633,185 acres in 25 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group C/D.
- Drainage class
- Poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- C/D 78% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 5.3 strongly acidic · range 4.6–5.3
- Mapped area
- 633k acres in 25 counties, 3 states
Typical Amy profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 in (A) | Silt loam | 5.3 | 15% | 14% | 1.75% |
| 3–24 in (Eg) | Silt loam | 5.0 | 13% | 14% | 0.75% |
| 24–40 in (Btg1) | Silty clay loam | 5.0 | 28% | 7% | 0.75% |
| 40–56 in (Btg2) | Silt loam | 5.0 | 24% | 7% | 0.25% |
| 56–80 in (Cg) | Silty clay loam | 5.0 | 28% | 8% | 0.25% |
What this means
What Amy soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Amy soils is strongly acidic: pH 5.3 (most land between 4.6 and 5.3). Most vegetables and lawn grasses do best around 6.0 to 7.0, so lime is often needed; blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons like it as it is.
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 93% of mapped Amy acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is silt loam (93% of mapped Amy acres).
100% of mapped Amy acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.
For lawns and yards
On 94% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on 96% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 93% of the acres in mapped Amy soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (8% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Flooding is mapped on 34% of the acres (<1% occasional, 30% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Amy soil is found
Mapped acres
Amy is mapped in Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Ouachita County, AR | 106,653 | 22.9% |
| Calhoun County, AR | 79,846 | 19.9% |
| Bradley County, AR | 76,380 | 18.4% |
| Drew County, AR | 74,906 | 14.1% |
| Dallas County, AR | 41,735 | 10.0% |
| Saline County, AR | 38,310 | 8.3% |
| Union County, AR | 24,392 | 3.6% |
| Pulaski County, AR | 23,368 | 4.8% |
| Miller County, AR | 22,054 | 5.6% |
| Ashley County, AR | 21,168 | 3.6% |
| Jefferson County, AR | 20,928 | 3.7% |
| Lonoke County, AR | 16,225 | 3.3% |
| Grant County, AR | 16,111 | 4.0% |
| Lincoln County, AR | 12,932 | 3.6% |
| Clark County, AR | 11,418 | 2.1% |
| Columbia County, AR | 10,892 | 2.2% |
| Nevada County, AR | 8,939 | 2.3% |
| Faulkner County, AR | 8,330 | 2.0% |
| Hot Spring County, AR | 7,511 | 1.9% |
| Tuscaloosa County, AL | 5,712 | 0.8% |
| Little River County, AR | 2,462 | 0.7% |
| Hempstead County, AR | 2,239 | 0.5% |
| Lafayette County, AR | 429 | 0.1% |
| Union Parish, LA | 240 | 0.0% |
| Claiborne Parish, LA | 5 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Amy acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 92.5% |
| Not rated | 7.5% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Amy acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 6 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 96% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on 34% of acres (<1% occasional, 30% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–1% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 1.8%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 0.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 100.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 1.1% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 0.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 15.3% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 77.6% |
| Not rated | 5.9% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Amy (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 633,185 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Amy components. The profile comes from the single largest Amy component. Full methodology.