Steuben County, Indiana

Survey Area IN151• Indiana

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Steuben 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
Glynwood silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Morley silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	10K			Not rated	Not rated
Blount silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Riddles sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Pewamo silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kosciusko sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Miami loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Histosols, ponded	6K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Riddles sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Kosciusko gravelly sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Boyer-Ormas loamy sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Rawson loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Houghton muck, disintegration moraine, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Boyer-Ormas loamy sands, 6 to 12 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Miami loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Wawasee loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Brookston loam	4K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Houghton muck, drained	4K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Crosier loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/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.

Alfisols

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

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 64% 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 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.