Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Survey Area KS197 Kansas

The dominant drainage class is 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 Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Clime-Sogn complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes 140K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes 74K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Florence-Labette complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes 53K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Irwin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 48K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Ivan silt loam, occasionally flooded 18K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Irwin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes 17K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded 15K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Ivan silty clay loam, channeled 14K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Ladysmith silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 13K Somewhat poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Reading silty clay loam, rarely flooded 11K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Clime silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes, stony 10K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Labette silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes 9K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Wamego silty clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes 9K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Wymore silty clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes 8K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Elmont silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Chase silty clay loam, rarely flooded 7K Somewhat poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Benfield-Florence complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes 7K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Wamego silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes 5K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded 5K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Tuttle channery silty clay loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, stony 4K Somewhat excessively drainedCVery limitedVery 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.

Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 54% 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 100% 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

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.

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