Renville County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Hamlet, on about 31% of the land. Souris and Tonka come next.
About 13% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Renville County, North Dakota, 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Renville County, North Dakota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet-Souris-Tonka complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 233K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Souris loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 95K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Tonka-Wyard complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Souris loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Souris-Tonka complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamerly-Tonka complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Svea-Buse-Tonka complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buse-Barnes-La Prairie, occasionally flooded loams, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Swenoda fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lowe-Fluvaquents, channeled complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buse-Barnes-Darnen loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buse-Barnes-Darnen loams, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arvilla sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Buse-Barnes-Darnen loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hamerly-Wyard loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Svea loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Parnell silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | 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 84% 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 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.