McDonald County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Rueter, on about 18% of the land: a very gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Jollymill and Goss come next.
About 78% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 31% 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 McDonald 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 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 McDonald 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rueter-Goss-Jollymill complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 93K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hailey-Sonsac complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, very rocky | 37K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jollymill-Bendavis complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 36K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Noark complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 35K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Noark-Clarksville-Crackerneck complex, karst, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rueter-Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waben-Cedargap, occasionally flooded complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cedargap, frequently flooded-Gladden, occasionally flooded complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jollymill-Crackerneck complex, karst, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bendavis-Jollymill-Crackerneck complex, karst, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goss-Rueter complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Viburnum-Crackerneck complex, karst, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rueter-Pomme complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Waben-Cedargap, occasionally flooded complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pomme silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Flagspring extremely gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bearthicket silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Townhole silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waben very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Clinkenbeard-Gobbler complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | 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 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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.