Dickinson County, Kansas
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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.
| 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 |
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.