Ray County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Lagonda, on about 12% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Snead and Armster come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 48% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 46% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 30% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 13% 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 Ray 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Ray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagonda silty clay loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 40K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snead-Rock outcrop complex, 14 to 30 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armster silty clay loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nodaway silt loam, heavy till, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leta silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharpsburg silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grundy silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharpsburg silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldron silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenton silty clay loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabash silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snead silty clay loam, 5 to 14 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bremer silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lagonda silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ladoga silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snead-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 14 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Knox silty clay loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cotter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenton silty clay loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armster loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately 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 94% 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 95% 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.