Barton County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Harney, on about 31% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Crete and Wakeen come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% 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 8% 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 Barton County, Kansas, 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 (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Barton County, Kansas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harney silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 181K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 87K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, rarely flooded | 30K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Saltcreek and Naron fine sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nibson-Wakeen silt loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| New Cambria silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, occasionally flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wakeen silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kisiwa loam, depressional | 14K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hayes-Solvay loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Platte soils, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, rarely flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Punkin silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldeck fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaski loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat 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 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.