Soil survey area

St. Francois County, Missouri

Survey Area MO187• Missouri

The short version

The most common soil here is Caneyville, on about 11% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Goss and Crider come next.

About 59% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.

USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 27% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in St. Francois County, Missouri, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Caneyville

11% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Goss

11% of the area

Gravelly silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Crider

10% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Hildebrecht

9% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Delassus

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

Fourche

5% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 St. Francois 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
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

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.

Entisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 76% 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 86% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address