Box Butte County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Alliance, on about 15% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Keith and Creighton come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 41% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 12% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Box Butte 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 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 Box Butte 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alliance loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Creighton very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rosebud-Canyon complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Busher-Tassel loamy very fine sands, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Creighton very fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Oglala-Canyon complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alliance-Rosebud loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Duroc loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, dry | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Janise loam, drained, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Duroc loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sarben-Busher loamy very fine sands, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Sarben-Busher loamy very fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Dailey loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Satanta fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alliance-Rosebud loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 41% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.