Ford County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Harney, on about 49% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Uly and Penden come next.
About 96% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 70% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 14% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Ford 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 Ford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harney silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 183K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 160K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Penden-Tobin complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pratt-Tivoli loamy fine sands, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dale and Humbarger clay loams, rarely flooded | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly-Coly silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dale silt loam, rarely flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Spearville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uly-Harney silt loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Spearville complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Penden clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Campus-Canlon complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Attica-Solvay complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Naron-Saltcreek fine sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tivoli fine sand, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Las Animas-Lincoln complex, occasionally flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 70% 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.