Phillips County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Uly, on about 41% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Holdrege and Roxbury come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 50% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 28% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 7% 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 Phillips 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Phillips 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, plains and breaks | 113K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes, eroded | 109K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uly-Penden complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wakeen-Nibson complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harney silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, rarely flooded | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, rarely flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, channeled, frequently flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| McCook silt loam, rarely flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Munjor sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, plains and breaks | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, rarely flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Armo loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Campus-Canlon complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brownell-Heizer gravelly loams, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | 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 28% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 50% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.