Kearny County, Kansas

Survey Area KS093• Kansas

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 Kearny 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
Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	153K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Ulysses silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	85K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Valent fine sand, 5 to 20 percent slopes	78K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Ulysses silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	35K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Valent-Vona loamy fine sands, 3 to 15 percent slopes	34K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Goshen silt loam, rarely flooded	23K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Colby silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Valent-Valent, eroded complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes	14K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Ulysses and Richfield soils, silted, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Colby silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Colby silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Las clay loam, moderately deep, occasionally flooded	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bridgeport clay loam, saline, rarely flooded	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Las clay loam, deep, occasionally flooded	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Otero-Schamber complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Richfield-Penden complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vona loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
Buffalo Park-Ulysses silt loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Manter fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
Sweetwater clay loam, occasionally flooded	4K	Poorly drained	C/D	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.

Mollisols

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

Entisols

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

Alfisols

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

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

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 79% 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.