Monona County, Iowa
The most common soil here is Ida, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Napier and Luton come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 40% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 39% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Monona County, Iowa, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Monona County, Iowa. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luton silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 57K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Napier silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ida silt loam, 14 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Napier silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ida silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albaton silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monona silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ida silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monona silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ida silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, severely eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Onawa silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castana silt loam, 14 to 20 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Napier silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Salix silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ida silt loam, 30 to 40 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forney silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodbury silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blencoe silt clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawles silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 71% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.