Cole County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Wrengart, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Gravois and Gatewood come next.
About 20% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 17% 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 Cole 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Cole 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatewood-Moko complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 33K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrengart silt loam, bedrock substratum, 9 to 14 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gunlock silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gravois silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrengart silt loam, bedrock substratum, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jamesfin silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gravois silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rueter very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Harvester complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Wrengart silt loam, bedrock substratum, 14 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moniteau silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Subaqueous | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Maplewood silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocie gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freeburg silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gatewood-Moko complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotton silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Niangua-Bardley complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocie very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 74% 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 92% 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.