Ripley County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Clarksville, on about 16% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Doniphan and Captina come next.
About 67% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 22% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Ripley 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 63% 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.