Banner County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Bayard, on about 10% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Canyon and Alliance come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 64% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 31% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 32% 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 Banner County, Nebraska, 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Banner County, Nebraska. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tassel-Busher-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canyon-Sidney loams, 9 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sidney-Canyon loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alliance loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bayard very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tassel-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bayard very fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bridget very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Otero loamy very fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Satanta fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tripp very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bayard-Dix complex, 9 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vetal very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mitchell-Epping complex, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keith loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Satanta-Altvan complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rosebud-Canyon loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eckley gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sidney-Canyon loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 31% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 64% 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.