Leavenworth County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Pawnee, on about 10% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Shelby and Grundy come next.
About 30% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 Leavenworth 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 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 Leavenworth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 27K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosendale-Bendena silty clay loams, 3 to 40 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grundy silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelby clay loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharpsburg silty clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muscotah silty clay loam, occasionally flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grundy silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, frequently flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elmont silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gosport-Sogn complex, 7 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladoga silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armster clay loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelby clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vinland-Sibleyville complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marshall silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Knox silt loam, 7 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gosport complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 7 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Moderately well 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 95% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.