Soil survey area

Perry County, Missouri

Survey Area MO157• Missouri

The short version

The most common soil here is Menfro, on about 39% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Goss and Minnith come next.

About 68% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.

USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% 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 10% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Perry County, Missouri, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Menfro

39% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Goss

10% of the area

Gravelly silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Minnith

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Wrengart

5% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Hildebrecht

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Caneyville

3% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

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 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 Perry 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
Goss very cobbly silt loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony	36K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, karst, 2 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	33K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, karst, 9 to 35 percent slopes, eroded	23K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 14 to 35 percent slopes, eroded	22K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Minnith-Pevely complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, karst, 2 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded	12K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Menfro silt loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes, eroded	11K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Wrengart silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Minnith silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Leta silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Clarksville-Menfro complex, 14 to 60 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Hildebrecht silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	7K	Subaqueous		Not rated	Not rated
Wrengart silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro-Caneyville silt loams, karst, 5 to 20 percent slopes, eroded	5K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Menfro-Bucklick silt loams, 14 to 20 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Haymond silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Well drained	B	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.

Entisols

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

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 58% 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 94% 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.

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