Environmental Constraints
Map 4: Environmental Constraints
Map 5: Generalized Soils
Topography
Steep slopes are a development concern in Southwest County. Steep slopes (greater than 25 percent) cover about 5 percent of the sector and moderate slopes (16-25 percent) cover nearly one third of the sector. The greatest concentrations of steep slopes are located within the peninsulas along Lyons Bend Road, Toole’s Bend Road, Keller Bend Road and Choto Road. Development on moderate and steep slopes is generally more expensive due to the need for more grading and extensive building foundations. Environmental problems such as increased runoff, soil erosion, and loss of water quality and habitat often result from grading on and deforestation of moderate to severe slopes. Soils
One of the major limitations to land development is public sewer availability. Substantial areas rely on septic systems and not all those areas have good soils for proper drain fields. Litz-Sequoia and Talbott-Rockland soil types are not very good septic system soils because of poor percolation and shallow bedrock. These tend to be trouble-prone areas and development should take place where sanitary sewer is available.
Sinkholes
Sinkholes can be found throughout the sector, particularly along Northshore Drive east of the Pellissippi Parkway. Development near sinkholes can be a serious concern because of underground water pollution (for example, silts or toxins going into well water), flooding and land collapse. The largest concentration is north of Boyd Station Drive and Turkey Creek Road. Additional sinkholes exist south of George Williams Road and east of Fox Road. Sinkholes can also be found along the ridges in the Keller Bend Road area. Existing state and county regulations regulate development near sinkholes.
Hydrology
The Tennessee River, also called Fort Loudoun Lake, forms the southern boundary of the sector. Most of the sector’s stormwater flows southward into the river. The major drainage basins include Turkey Creek, Little Turkey Creek, Ten-Mile Creek, Blue Grass Creek and Sinking Creek. The latter three creeks flow into sinkholes and underground cave systems that eventually drain into the river. Flooding along the creeks can be a problem, especially during late winter and early spring. Reduction of the impacts of stormwater, including both quality and volume, has become a greater concern in the past decade.
Soil Types
Talbott-Rock Outcrop
Shallow and moderately steep, rolling to hilly, well-drained clayey soils. Limestone rock outcrops are numerous. Poor percolation rates.
Decatur-Dewey
Deep, gently rolling to rolling, well-drained clayey soils on productive land underlain by dolomite.
Litz-Sequoia
Shallow and moderately deep, rolling to steep, well-drained shaly and clayey soils on hills underlain by soft shale. Poor percolation rates.
Tellico-Alcoa
Deep, hilly to very steep, well-drained clayey and loamy soils in hills and knobs underlain by calcareous sandstone or sandy limestone.
Fullerton-Dewey
Deep, rolling to hilly, well-drained clayey soils underlain by dolomite.
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Steep Slopes are concentrated along the peninsulas.
Ten Mile Creek. |
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