Pawnee County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Harney, on about 42% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Pratt and Uly come next.
About 86% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 79% 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: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Pawnee 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 Pawnee 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 | 94K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Saltcreek and Naron fine sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney-Uly complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| New Cambria silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Attica fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, occasionally flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum and Funmar loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Solvay loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, rarely flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harney silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, rarely flooded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Platte soils, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pratt-Tivoli loamy fine sands, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Waldeck fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lubbock silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kaski loam, rarely flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Zenda loam, occasionally flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly 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 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 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.