Doniphan County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Contrary, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Monona and Palermo come next.
About 84% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Doniphan 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Doniphan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contrary-Monona silt loams, 9 to 17 percent slopes, eroded | 51K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Contrary-Pohocco silt loams, 17 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monona silt loam, 5 to 11 percent slopes, eroded | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Palermo-Knox complex, 10 to 18 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Aksarben silty clay loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monona silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hamburg silt loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palermo silty clay loam, 18 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marshall silty clay loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Morrill loam, 7 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Onawa and Waldron silty clay loams, occasionally flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onawa loamy fine sand, overwash, occasionally flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marshall silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bendena-Rock Outcrop complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, frequently flooded | 4K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithland silt loam, occasionally flooded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haynie silt loam, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morrill loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Judson silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 65% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.