Gibson County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Alford, on about 13% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Hosmer and Vincennes come next.
About 39% of the land drains well, and 39% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% 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.
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 Gibson County, Indiana, 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 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 Gibson County, Indiana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosmer silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 19K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alford silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vincennes loam | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hosmer silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swanwick variant silt loam, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Alford silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uniontown silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ragsdale silt loam | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stendal silt loam, frequently flooded | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Nolin silt loam, frequently flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zipp silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reesville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vincennes silt loam, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uniontown silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonnie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bloomfield sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ragsdale silt loam, overwash | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | 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 67% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 79% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.