Ripley County, Missouri

Survey Area MO181• Missouri

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 Ripley 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
Doniphan very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	36K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony	26K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Captina silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	23K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	21K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	21K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Doniphan very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Midco very gravelly loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	18K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Poynor gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Midco very gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	14K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Macedonia silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Wilderness gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Poynor gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Loring silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tuckerman fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	8K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Coulstone very gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Doniphan very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Poynor very gravelly silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Doniphan gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bearthicket silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	7K	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 57% 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 84% 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.