Wabaunsee County, Kansas
The most common soil here is Clime, on about 19% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Martin and Irwin come next.
About 60% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.
USDA rates 99% 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: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 47% 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 Wabaunsee 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 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 Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clime-Sogn complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 140K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 74K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Florence-Labette complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ivan silt loam, occasionally flooded | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irwin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ivan silty clay loam, channeled | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladysmith silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reading silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clime silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes, stony | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Labette silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wamego silty clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wymore silty clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elmont silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chase silty clay loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Benfield-Florence complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wamego silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Martin silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuttle channery silty clay loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, stony | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very 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 shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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
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.