Dickinson County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Irwin, on about 40% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Crete and Clime come next.
About 33% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% 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 Dickinson 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 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 Dickinson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irwin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 132K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 112K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 56K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, occasionally flooded | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clime-Sogn complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muir silt loam, rarely flooded | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clime silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, channeled, frequently flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clime silty clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| McCook silt loam, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ortello-Wells fine sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sutphen silty clay loam, occasionally flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Detroit silt loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lancaster-Hedville complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wells loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sutphen silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not 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 80% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.