Wayne County, Missouri
The most common soil here is Clarksville, on about 19% of the land: a gravelly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Scholten and Tilk come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 28% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville-Scholten complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 147K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poynor-Clarksville-Scholten complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 53K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alred-Rueter complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 49K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk-Secesh complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk, occasionally flooded-Cornwall-Poynor complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yelton-Scholten complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilk-Secesh complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Captina-Scholten complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aslinger-Waben complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Subaqueous | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Relfe-Sandbur complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mudlick-Irondale-Killarney complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, rocky, extremely bouldery | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alred-Gepp complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bearthicket silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cornwall silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Courtois silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Calhoun silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fourche silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gladden silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 83% 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 85% 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.