Kingman County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Shellabarger, on about 22% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Nalim and Albion come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 21% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Kingman 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Kingman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellabarger sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 89K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Albion sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dillwyn-Plevna complex, occasionally flooded | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger-Nalim complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Renfrow clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nashville-Quinlan complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Albion sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Clark clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kaski loam, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldeck fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albion sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blanket silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nashville silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Case-Clark clay loams, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not 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 21% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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.