St. Francois County, Missouri
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 St. Francois County, Missouri.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goss very cobbly silt loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hildebrecht silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caneyville silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crider silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fourche silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irondale gravelly silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, extremely bouldery | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crider silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Caneyville silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jonca silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nicholson silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hassler-Syenite complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes, rocky, bouldery | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delassus silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delassus silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haymond silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elsah silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jonca silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Delassus silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, bouldery | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Caneyville silt loam, 15 to 20 percent slopes, stony | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Syenite silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely bouldery | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.