Buchanan County, Missouri

Survey Area MO021• Missouri

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Buchanan 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
Marshall silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	20K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Knox silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Contrary silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Marshall silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	16K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Knox silty clay loam, 14 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Colo silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	14K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lamoni silty clay loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, moderately eroded	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Colo silty clay loam, heavy till, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	12K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Haynie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	12K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Onawa silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Knox silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Higginsville silty clay loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gasconade flaggy silty clay loam, 14 to 35 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gosport silty clay loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Knox silt loam, 20 to 35 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Waldron silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sharpsburg silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	4K	Subaqueous		Not rated	Not rated
Gosport-Gasconade complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes	3K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land, bottomland, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded	3K			Not rated	Not rated

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.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

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

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 50% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.