Soil series profile
Perry soil series
Perry is a poorly drained soil with a clay surface, mapped on 911,415 acres in 39 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Poorly drained 97% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 89% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 5.3 strongly acidic · range 5.3–5.9
- Mapped area
- 911k acres in 39 counties, 3 states
Typical Perry profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–6 in (Ap) | Clay | 5.3 | 60% | 2% | 2.25% |
| 6–30 in (Bssg) | Clay | 6.2 | 70% | 2% | 0.75% |
| 30–80 in (Bkss) | Clay | 7.3 | 70% | 2% | 0.25% |
What this means
What Perry soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Perry soils is strongly acidic: pH 5.3 (most land between 5.3 and 5.9). 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.
Clayey topsoil covers 87% of mapped Perry acres. Clay holds water and nutrients but drains slowly and compacts if worked wet: add compost, avoid tilling soggy soil and consider raised beds. The most common surface texture is clay (78% of mapped Perry acres).
97% of mapped Perry 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 89% 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 91% 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 Perry soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (12% 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 39% of the acres (17% occasional, 13% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Perry soil is found
Mapped acres
Perry is mapped in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Chicot County, AR | 109,978 | 28.3% |
| Morehouse Parish, LA | 109,480 | 21.7% |
| Jefferson County, AR | 104,928 | 18.7% |
| Lonoke County, AR | 76,273 | 15.6% |
| Lincoln County, AR | 65,297 | 18.2% |
| Ouachita Parish, LA | 56,492 | 14.7% |
| Caldwell Parish, LA | 53,428 | 15.8% |
| Richland Parish, LA | 51,156 | 14.5% |
| Arkansas County, AR | 50,949 | 8.1% |
| Ashley County, AR | 43,605 | 7.4% |
| Drew County, AR | 36,332 | 6.8% |
| Pulaski County, AR | 31,613 | 6.5% |
| Desha County, AR | 28,943 | 6.1% |
| Catahoula Parish, LA | 16,269 | 3.6% |
| Faulkner County, AR | 9,485 | 2.3% |
| Bowie County, TX | 8,533 | 1.5% |
| Prairie County, AR | 6,341 | 1.6% |
| Miller County, AR | 6,079 | 1.5% |
| Perry County, AR | 5,673 | 1.6% |
| Union Parish, LA | 5,587 | 1.0% |
| West Carroll Parish, LA | 4,672 | 2.0% |
| Little River County, AR | 4,567 | 1.3% |
| Hempstead County, AR | 4,474 | 1.0% |
| Natchitoches Parish, LA | 4,116 | 0.5% |
| St. Landry Parish, LA | 2,786 | 0.5% |
| Lafayette County, AR | 2,494 | 0.7% |
| Evangeline Parish, LA | 2,410 | 0.6% |
| St. Martin Parish, LA | 1,870 | 0.4% |
| De Soto Parish, LA | 1,854 | 0.3% |
| Red River Parish, LA | 1,588 | 0.7% |
| Iberia Parish, LA | 1,266 | 0.4% |
| Winn Parish, LA | 1,024 | 0.2% |
| Bossier Parish, LA | 657 | 0.1% |
| Rapides Parish, LA | 541 | 0.1% |
| Avoyelles Parish, LA | 437 | 0.1% |
| Conway County, AR | 84 | 0.0% |
| Caddo Parish, LA | 66 | 0.0% |
| Bienville Parish, LA | 45 | 0.0% |
| Franklin Parish, LA | 22 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Perry acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 88.5% |
| Not rated | 11.5% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Perry acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 1.0 feet (12 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on 91% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on 39% of acres (17% occasional, 13% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2.2%.
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 | 97.1% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 2.9% |
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 | 0.3% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 89.0% |
| 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 | 10.6% |
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 Perry (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 911,415 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Perry components. The profile comes from the single largest Perry component. Full methodology.