Brown County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valentine, on about 61% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Els and Simeon come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 16% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% 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 Brown 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Brown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes, moist | 160K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling and hilly, 9 to 60 percent slopes , moist | 114K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling and hilly, 9 to 60 percent slopes | 57K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes | 50K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Els complex, moist, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 42K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, moist | 31K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| McKelvie-Longpine-Ronson complex, 17 to 70 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, moist | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Els-Ipage fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Johnstown loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Simeon-Valentine complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ipage fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Els-Tryon complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loup fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Tryon, complex, 0 to 24 percent slopes, moist | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Simeon complex, 9 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Els complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Loup-Els complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Johnstown fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.