Soil series profile
Kenner soil series
Kenner is a very poorly drained soil with a muck surface, mapped on 324,915 acres in 18 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Very poorly drained 95% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 95% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 5.7 moderately acidic · range 5.7–5.7
- Mapped area
- 325k acres in 18 counties, 2 states
Typical Kenner profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–18 in (Oa) | Muck | 5.7 | Not reported | Not reported | 40% |
| 18–21 in (Cg) | Silty clay | 6.6 | 53% | 0% | 5% |
| 21–49 in (O'a) | Muck | 5.7 | Not reported | Not reported | 25% |
| 49–53 in (C'g) | Clay | 6.2 | 95% | 0% | 5% |
| 53–70 in (O''a) | Muck | 5.7 | Not reported | Not reported | 25% |
| 70–79 in (C''g) | Clay | 6.2 | 95% | 0% | 5% |
What this means
What Kenner soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Kenner soils is moderately acidic: pH 5.7. Many vegetables grow well here, and some gardens benefit from a little lime. Test before adding any.
Organic muck or peat is the most common topsoil (89% of mapped Kenner acres). It is rich and holds water, but is often wet, can be acidic, and settles when drained. The most common surface texture is muck (89% of mapped Kenner acres).
>99% of mapped Kenner 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 95% 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 95% 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 89% of the acres in mapped Kenner soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (11% 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 >99% of the acres (0% occasional, 95% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Kenner soil is found
Mapped acres
Kenner is mapped in Louisiana and Florida.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Terrebonne Parish, LA | 108,359 | 14.9% |
| St. Charles Parish, LA | 48,553 | 28.4% |
| Lafourche Parish, LA | 44,954 | 7.3% |
| St. Mary Parish, LA | 39,499 | 9.9% |
| Jefferson Parish, LA | 28,397 | 16.6% |
| Cameron Parish, LA | 17,059 | 2.1% |
| Plaquemines Parish, LA | 7,893 | 2.1% |
| St. John the Baptist Parish, LA | 6,857 | 5.0% |
| Gulf County, FL | 6,278 | 1.6% |
| Orleans Parish, LA | 4,904 | 4.8% |
| St. Tammany Parish, LA | 3,706 | 0.7% |
| Franklin County, FL | 3,094 | 0.6% |
| Tangipahoa Parish, LA | 2,461 | 0.5% |
| St. Bernard Parish, LA | 1,692 | 0.7% |
| Vermilion Parish, LA | 986 | 0.1% |
| Jefferson Davis Parish, LA | 214 | 0.1% |
| Iberia Parish, LA | 6 | 0.0% |
| St. Martin Parish, LA | 4 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Kenner acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 88.6% |
| Not rated | 11.4% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Kenner acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 0 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 95% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on >99% of acres (0% occasional, 95% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 40%.
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 | 4.8% |
| Very poorly drained | 94.8% |
| Not rated | 0.5% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 3.9% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 94.7% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 1.4% |
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 Kenner (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 324,915 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Kenner components. The profile comes from the single largest Kenner component. Full methodology.