Cowley County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Labette, on about 13% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Sogn and Martin come next.
About 69% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% 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 Cowley 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 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 Cowley 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 |
| Labette-Sogn silty clay loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sogn silty clay loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 49K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verdigris silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 45K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Florence cherty silt loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Labette-Dwight complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Labette silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin-Florence complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smolan silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norge silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vanoss silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clime stony silty clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tabler silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ivan silt loam, occasionally flooded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brewer silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethany silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tabler silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat 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 71% 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 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
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.