Hall County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Detroit, on about 8% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Hall and Valentine come next.
About 54% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 11% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Hall 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 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 Hall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 34K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Platte-Bolent complex, occasionally flooded | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hall silt loam, sandy substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wood River-Silver Creek silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oneill and Pivot loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hastings silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Caruso loam, rarely flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wood River silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Libory complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, sandy substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Alda loam, rarely flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jansen fine sandy loam, overblown, leveled | 8K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gates silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ortello fine sandy loam, silty substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hastings silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gothenburg loam, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Butler silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cozad loam, sand substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | 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 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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
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.