Garfield County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valentine, on about 59% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Ipage and Els come next.
About 80% of the land drains well, and 16% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 26% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Garfield 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 Garfield 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 and hilly, 9 to 60 percent slopes , moist | 131K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes, moist | 56K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Els complex, moist, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Els-Ipage complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tryon-Ipage complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, moist | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tryon loamy fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ipage loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uly-Coly silt loams, 17 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coly-Hobbs silt loams, 3 to 60 percent slopes, moist | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tryon loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Ipage fine sands, 1 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, moist | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hersh fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hersh-Valentine complex, 11 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes, moist | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ipage fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Els loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hersh fine sandy loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hersh-Gates complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | 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
About 26% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.