Soil series profile

Waveland soil series

Waveland is a poorly drained soil with a fine sand surface, mapped on 88,076 acres in 3 counties in FL. Hydrologic group C/D.

#3885 by mapped area sandy Arenic Alaquods (Spodosols)

Drainage class: Poorly drained
Hydrologic group: C/D
Typical topsoil pH: 4.9
Mapped area: 88k

Typical Waveland profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

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Typical Waveland horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–5 in (A)	Fine sand	4.9	1%	99%	2%
5–32 in (E)	Sand	4.9	1%	98%	0.25%
32–40 in (Bh1)	Sand	4.8	5%	91%	5%
40–51 in (Bh2)	Sand	5.2	6%	89%	5%
51–80 in (C)	Sand	5.2	7%	92%	0.5%

Representative values from the most extensive Waveland map unit (Waveland fine sand, survey area FL081). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

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

What this means

What Waveland soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Waveland soils is very strongly acidic: pH 4.9 (most land between 4.9 and 5.5). 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.

Sandy topsoil covers 100% of mapped Waveland acres. It drains fast and warms early in spring, but dries out and loses nutrients quickly: mulch, compost and steady watering help. The most common surface texture is fine sand (100% of mapped Waveland acres).

100% of mapped Waveland 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 Waveland 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 Waveland soil is found

Mapped acres

Waveland is mapped in Florida.

Counties with the most mapped Waveland soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Manatee County, FL	49,787	9.9%
Martin County, FL	22,890	6.6%
St. Lucie County, FL	15,399	4.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Waveland acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Waveland acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Waveland acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	100.0%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Waveland acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 1.0 feet (12 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
Flooding: Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
Slope: Typically 1–1% (median 1%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 0%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 95%

Very poorly drained 5%

Drainage class across mapped Waveland acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Waveland acres.
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	94.7%
Very poorly drained	5.3%

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 26%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 74%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Waveland acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Waveland acres.
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	26.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained	0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained	74.0%

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 Waveland (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 88,076 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Waveland components. The profile comes from the single largest Waveland component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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