Clay County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Crete, on about 48% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Geary and Muir come next.
About 45% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 13% 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 Clay 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 Moderately 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 Clay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crete silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 61K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 53K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded, loess plains and breaks | 53K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 47K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Muir silt loam, very rarely flooded | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lancaster-Hedville complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, occasionally flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kipson-Sogn complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Huscher silt loam, occasionally flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muir silt loam, rarely flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, channeled, frequently flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Edalgo silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lancaster loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cass fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wells loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Geary silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Benfield silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | 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 66% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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.