Hickory County, Missouri
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Hickory County, Missouri.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardley very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bardley gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goss very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Union silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gepp very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eldon gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eldon gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Creldon silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pomme silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Barden silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Subaqueous | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Hartwell silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sacville silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McGirk silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Racket silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartwell silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plato silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Racket silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
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. 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.