Geary County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Clime, on about 16% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Irwin and Crete come next.
About 66% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Geary 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 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 Geary 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clime-Sogn complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Benfield-Florence complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin-Konza silty clay loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tully silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kahola silt loam, occasionally flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clime silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reading silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tully silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladysmith silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muir silt loam, rarely flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Geary silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wells-Ortello complex, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| McCook-Smokyhill silt loams, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eudora silt loam, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sutphen silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | 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 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.