Ottawa County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Crete, on about 22% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Geary and Edalgo come next.
About 69% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 23% 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geary silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 81K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Edalgo-Hedville complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 59K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, loess plains and breaks | 40K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, rarely flooded | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Geary silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Detroit silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, rarely flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wells loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lancaster loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lancaster-Hedville complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| New Cambria silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McCook silt loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hobbs-Geary silt loams, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crete silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded, loess plains and breaks | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nibson silt loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geary silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sutphen silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hedville-Rock Outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | 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 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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.