Gray County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Spearville, on about 20% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Richfield and Harney come next.
About 95% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 8% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Gray 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 Gray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 121K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Richfield-Spearville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt-Tivoli loamy fine sands, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manter fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Satanta loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent fine sand, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Penden clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manter fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ness silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penden clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manter-Ulysses complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Buffalo Park silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Uly-Coly silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 80% 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.