Miami County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Summit, on about 14% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Eram and Kenoma come next.
About 20% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 36% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 34% 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 Miami 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 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 Miami 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clareson-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Summit silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wagstaff silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kenoma silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 34K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bucyrus silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eram silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grundy silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Summit silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bucyrus silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dennis silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verdigris silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodson silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verdigris silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okemah silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eram-Lebo complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodson silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eram silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Osage silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lebo channery silty clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | 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 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% 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.