Shawnee County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Martin, on about 22% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Pawnee and Ladysmith come next.
About 35% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 44% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 16% 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 Shawnee 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Shawnee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 52K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 44K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sogn-Vinland complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladysmith silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reading silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Labette silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvents, frequently flooded | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Martin-Kennebec complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 7 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muscotah silty clay loam, very rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eudora-Bismarckgrove silt loams, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, frequently flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rossville silt loam, very rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Labette silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pawnee clay loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vinland-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eudora-Bismarckgrove silt loams, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennebec silt loam, occasionally flooded | 5K | Moderately 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 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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.