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.

#1854 by mapped area Lithic Haplosaprists (Histosols)

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

Typical Pahokee soil profile by depth 0 in 10 in 20 in 30 in 40 in 50 in 0–40 in · Oa Muck 40–50 in · 2R Bedrock
Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).
Show as a table
Typical Pahokee horizons (representative values)
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

Representative values from the most extensive Pahokee map unit (Pahokee muck, drained, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes, survey area FL611). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Hands holding dark garden soil
Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

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.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Pahokee soil is found

Mapped acres

Pahokee is mapped in Florida.

Counties with the most mapped Pahokee soil
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

Not limited 0%
Somewhat limited 0%
Very limited 100%
Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Pahokee acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.
Show as a table
Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Pahokee acres.
CategoryShare of acres
Not limited0.0%
Somewhat limited0.0%
Very limited100.0%

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

Excessively drained 0%
Somewhat excessively drained 0%
Well drained 0%
Moderately well drained 0%
Somewhat poorly drained 0%
Poorly drained 0%
Very poorly drained 100%
Drainage class across mapped Pahokee acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.
Show as a table
Drainage class across mapped Pahokee acres.
CategoryShare of acres
Excessively drained0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained0.0%
Well drained0.0%
Moderately well drained0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained0.0%
Poorly drained0.0%
Very poorly drained100.0%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 0%
B: moderate infiltration 0%
C: slow infiltration 0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained 100%
B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained 0%
Hydrologic soil group across mapped Pahokee acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.
Show as a table
Hydrologic soil group across mapped Pahokee acres.
CategoryShare of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)0.0%
B: moderate infiltration0.0%
C: slow infiltration0.0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)0.0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained100.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained0.0%

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.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Pahokee.