Chautauqua County, Kansas

Survey Area KS019• Kansas

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Chautauqua 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
Clime-Sogn complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes	65K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Steedman stony clay loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes	59K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Niotaze-Darnell complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes	38K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Stephenville-Darnell fine sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes	32K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sogn silty clay loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dennis silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes	17K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Mason silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Martin-Dwight silty clay loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dennis silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Eram silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Verdigris silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	12K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Eram-Collinsville complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Martin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Dennis silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lula silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Clareson-Sogn complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ivan silt loam, occasionally flooded	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Osage-Drummond complex, occasionally flooded	5K	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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Alfisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 98% 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.