Kosciusko County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Crosier, on about 10% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Ormas and Wawasee come next.
About 43% of the land drains well, and 45% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% 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 Kosciusko 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 B/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 Kosciusko 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wawasee fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Crosier loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barry loam | 19K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riddles fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crosier loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sebewa loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ormas loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Miami loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ormas loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, drained | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kosciusko sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kosciusko sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Boyer loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shipshe sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Riddles fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Whitaker loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morley-Glynwood complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wawasee fine sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | C | Not 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 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 89% 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.