Sumner County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Bethany, on about 22% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Kirkland and Milan come next.
About 92% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% 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 Sumner 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 Sumner 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 110K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethany silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kirkland silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milan loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Elandco silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nalim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tabler silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dale and Reinach silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Renfrow-Grainola complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nalim loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shellabarger sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kirkland silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, cool | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brewer silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosehill clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnum loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Solvay loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vanoss silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elandco silt loam, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milan loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.