Harvey County, Kansas

Survey Area KS079• Kansas

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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 100% 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.