Ellsworth County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Harney, on about 23% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lancaster and Crete come next.
About 87% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 33% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 30% 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 Ellsworth 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 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 Ellsworth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster-Hedville complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 81K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 66K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney-Wells complex, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 47K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tobin silt loam, occasionally flooded | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wells loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Edalgo-Hedville loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armo loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harney-Wakeen complex, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Armo loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wells loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Jansen sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nibson silt loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nibson-Wakeen silt loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McCook silt loam, rarely flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crete silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadin sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Edalgo-Hedville loams, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | 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 33% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 81% 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.