Jasper County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Rensselaer, on about 12% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Maumee and Oakville come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 78% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 78% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Jasper 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Jasper 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zadog-Maumee loamy sands | 39K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watseka-Maumee loamy sands | 38K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morocco loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer, till substratum-Wolcott complex | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakville fine sand, prairie peninsula, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brems loamy sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer fine sandy loam, till substratum | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilford fine sandy loam, outwash plain, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darroch, till substratum-Odell complex | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prochaska loamy sand, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakville sand, moderately wet, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Oakville fine sand, prairie peninsula, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Suman loam, frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iroquois fine sandy loam | 6K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markton-Aubbeenaubbee complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reddick clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darroch loam | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Andres silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montgomery silty clay loam | 6K | Very poorly drained | 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 86% 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 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.