Meade County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Harney, on about 28% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Mansic and Uly come next.
About 95% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 22% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Meade 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 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 Meade 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harney silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 153K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Campus-Canlon complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mansic clay loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Otero-Mansic complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 40K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spearville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Optima-Eva complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 33K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eva-Optima-Dalhart complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mansic clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harney silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mansic clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Likes loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ness silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Missler silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Otero fine sandy loam, warm, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, rarely flooded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manter-Satanta complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Mansic clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mansic-Manter complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 22% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 65% 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.