Cole County, Missouri

Survey Area MO051• Missouri

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.

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.

Entisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 73% 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.