Seward County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Richfield, on about 18% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Dalhart and Eva come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 38% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 7% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% 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 Seward 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Seward 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eva-Optima-Dalhart complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eva-Optima complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Manter-Dalhart complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Spearville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dalhart fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Otero-Schamber complex, warm, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Likes loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Atchison loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Otero-Mansic complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ulysses silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Colby loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Richfield loam, thick surface, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Satanta fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Richfield and Ulysses complexes, bench leveled | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Canlon soils, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Optima fine sand, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atchison clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 38% 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.