Morgan County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Miami, on about 12% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Berks and Genesee come next.
About 49% of the land drains well, and 32% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 19% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 11% 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 Morgan 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 (moderate infiltration). 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 Morgan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 35 to 80 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hickory loam, 18 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crosby silt loam, fine-loamy subsoil, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shoals silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miami silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fincastle silt loam, Tipton Till Plain, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wakeland silt loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miami loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ava silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miami silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitaker loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer clay loam, till substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cincinnati silt loam, Wabash Lowland, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Treaty silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martinsville loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vigo silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chetwynd loam, 18 to 80 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crosby-Miami silt loams, 2 to 4 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xenia silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Moderately well 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 84% 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 93% 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.