Shannon County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Scholten, on about 13% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Clarksville and Coulstone come next.
About 69% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% 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 Shannon 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Shannon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholten-Bendavis-Poynor complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 90K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville-Scholten complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 77K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone-Alred complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes, very stony | 59K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone-Bender complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes, very stony | 54K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gepp-Arkana complex, 15 to 55 percent slopes, rocky | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alred-Rueter complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poynor-Clarksville-Scholten complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Niangua-Bardley complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonti-Hogcreek complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scholten-Poynor complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Viburnum silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scholten-Poynor complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonti silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macedonia silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Coulstone very gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rueter-Gepp complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Somewhat 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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.