Soil series profile
Pahokee soil series
Pahokee is a very poorly drained soil with a muck surface, mapped on 196,817 acres in 4 counties in FL. Hydrologic group A/D.
- Drainage class
- Very poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- A/D 100% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- Not reported
- Mapped area
- 197k acres in 4 counties, 1 state
Typical Pahokee profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–40 in (Oa) | Muck | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
| 40–50 in (2R) | Bedrock | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |

What this means
What Pahokee soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Organic muck or peat is the most common topsoil (100% of mapped Pahokee 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 (100% of mapped Pahokee acres).
100% of mapped Pahokee 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 100% 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 100% 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 100% of the acres in mapped Pahokee soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.
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.
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Pahokee soil is found
Mapped acres
Pahokee is mapped in Florida.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County, FL | 184,031 | 14.8% |
| Hendry County, FL | 9,957 | 1.3% |
| Glades County, FL | 2,744 | 0.6% |
| Broward County, FL | 85 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Pahokee acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Pahokee acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 0 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 75%.
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 | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 100.0% |
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 | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 0.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 100.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
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 Pahokee (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 196,817 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Pahokee components. The profile comes from the single largest Pahokee component. Full methodology.