Carter County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Clarksville, on about 32% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Alred and Captina come next.
About 85% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% 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 2% 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 Carter 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Carter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alred-Rueter complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 49K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tilk-Secesh complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone very gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilderness very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Scholten complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poynor very gravelly silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tilk-Secesh complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 35 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macedonia silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Alred-Gepp complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Poynor gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bearthicket silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wilderness-Clarksville complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone very gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 71% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.