Reno County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Shellabarger, on about 12% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Nalim and Avans come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 26% 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 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 Reno 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 Reno 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellabarger sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger-Nalim complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tivin-Dillhut fine sands, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hayes-Solvay loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Saltcreek and Naron fine sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jamash-Piedmont clay loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum and Funmar loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt-Turon fine sands, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Albion-Shellabarger sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ost-Clark loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Turon-Carway complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Avans loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kanza-Ninnescah sandy loams, frequently flooded | 22K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Funmar-Taver loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Darlow-Elmer complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Avans loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Punkin-Taver complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saltcreek-Funmar-Farnum complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 26% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.