Soil survey area

Saline County, Illinois

Survey Area IL165• Illinois

The short version

The most common soil here is Ava, on about 14% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Hosmer and Belknap come next.

About 20% of the land drains well, and 48% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 45% of it.

USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 24% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 6% of it.

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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Saline County, Illinois, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Ava

14% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Hosmer

9% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Belknap

9% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Bonnie

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Entisols

Bluford

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Banlic

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Saline County, Illinois. 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
Belknap silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	21K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Banlic silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded	15K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bonnie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	13K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ava silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ava silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Zipp silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	10K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bluford silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Wellston-Berks complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Ava silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	8K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Patton silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Racoon silt loam	5K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hurst silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Orthents, 15 to 60 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Colp silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Creal silt loam	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Wynoose silt loam, bench, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Grantsburg silt loam, 4 to 7 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	C	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 83% 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 96% 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.

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