Harvey County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Ladysmith, on about 21% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Irwin and Crete come next.
About 40% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 98% 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: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 12% 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 Harvey 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 Moderately 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 Harvey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladysmith silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladysmith silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosehill silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Punkin silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Detroit silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solvay loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Goessel silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum and Funmar loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Smolan silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Punkin-Taver complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saltcreek and Naron fine sandy loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clime-Hobbs complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clime silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tivin-Dillhut fine sands, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% 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.