Rawlins County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Keith, on about 36% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Colby and Kuma come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 44% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 34% 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 4% 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 Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby silt loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 158K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, south | 134K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 118K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kuma silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ulysses silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colby silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Campus-Canlon complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, rarely flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buffalo Park silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colby silt loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caruso silt loam, occasionally flooded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sulco complex, 9 to 60 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colby silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 613 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ness silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 407 | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roxbury silt loam, occasionally flooded | 131 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 58 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Miscellaneous water | 9 | Not rated | Not rated |
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 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 44% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.