Stevens County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Dalhart, on about 32% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Eva and Belfon come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 10% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 5% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Stevens 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Stevens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalhart loamy fine sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 75K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eva-Optima complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 48K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Dalhart loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Belfon loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart-Eva complex loamy fine sands, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hugoton and Zella soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Zella loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belfon fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bigbow loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bigbow fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hugoton silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Forgan loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart and Vorhees soils, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dalhart fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eva loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Eva loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Optima loamy sand, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Atchison loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | 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.