Stafford County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Pratt, on about 16% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Solvay and Hayes come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 26% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 18% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% 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 Stafford 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 Stafford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltcreek and Naron fine sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Solvay loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 61K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hayes-Solvay loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hayes-Turon complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Farnum and Funmar loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt-Tivoli loamy fine sands, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pratt loamy fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Natrustolls, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Taver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dillwyn-Tivin complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tivin fine sand, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dillwyn-Plevna complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plevna fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger-Nalim complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Langdon fine sand, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tabler loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blanket silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carway and Carbika soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Attica fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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.