Boyd County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Labu, on about 11% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Onita and Bristow come next.
About 84% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Boyd 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Boyd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labu-Sansarc silty clays, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onita silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Monowi-Bristow silty clays, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reliance silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ree silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sansarc silty clay, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mariaville-Paka loams, 11 to 40 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Labu silty clay, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Simeon-Valentine complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bristow silty clay, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bristow silty clay, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Anselmo fine sandy loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Anselmo fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Anselmo fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 9 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ree silt loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dunday loamy fine sand, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Reliance silt loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Monowi-Bristow silty clays, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 95% 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.