Madison County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Clarksville, on about 15% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Scholten and Irondale come next.
About 65% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% 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 Madison 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville-Scholten complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 76K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poynor-Clarksville-Scholten complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Irondale gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, extremely bouldery | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Killarney-Frenchmill complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, rubbly | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delassus silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marquand silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trackler-Irondale complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Firebaugh silt, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aslinger-Waben complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crider silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Trackler silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Relfe sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cornwall silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily-Ramsey complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roselle silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alred-Rueter complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Secesh silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 4K | 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 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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.