Sherman County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Keith, on about 39% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Ulysses and Buffalo Park come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 11% 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: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Sherman 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 Sherman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 176K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ulysses silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 128K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith-Ulysses silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colby silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buffalo Park silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, south | 32K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buffalo Park-Ulysses silt loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Goshen silt loam, rarely flooded | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kuma silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Buffalo Park-Ulysses silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kuma-Keith silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, channeled | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ness silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, rarely flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kim-Otero complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridgeport silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Caruso loam, occasionally flooded | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colby silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | 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
Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.
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.