Butler County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Calhoun, on about 15% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Clarksville and Tuckerman come next.
About 29% of the land drains well, and 47% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 59% of it.
USDA rates 92% 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: 50% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Butler County, Missouri, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Butler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 61K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Scholten complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 51K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amagon silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 36K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuckerman fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 24K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kobel clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adler silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuckerman-Wiville complex, leveled, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 15K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, west, upland phase | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Loring silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baylock silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midco very gravelly loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loring silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wiville fine sand, leveled, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bearthicket silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dubbs silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat 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 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 92% 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.