Soil survey area

Boone County, Missouri

Survey Area MO019• Missouri

The short version

The most common soil here is Keswick, on about 19% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Mexico and Leonard come next.

About 18% of the land drains well, and 50% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 39% of it.

USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 88% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Boone County, Missouri, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Keswick

19% of the area

Loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

Alfisols

Mexico

9% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Leonard

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Weller

7% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Menfro

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Winfield

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Boone County, Missouri. 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
Keswick silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	62K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Leonard silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, eroded	35K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Mexico silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes, eroded	34K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Keswick silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	28K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bardley-Clinkenbeard complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes, very stony	21K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hatton silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	19K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weller silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Armstrong loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Winnegan loam, 14 to 20 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wilbur silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	11K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mexico silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rocheport-Bonnefemme complex, 14 to 25 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Winfield silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Clinkenbeard-Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Adco silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Weller silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Winfield silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Moniteau silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	6K	Poorly drained	C/D	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.

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