Harlan County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Holdrege, on about 40% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Coly and Uly come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 42% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 22% 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.
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 Harlan 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Harlan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 94K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Uly and Coly silt loams, 11 to 30 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Coly and Nuckolls silt loams, 11 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, plains and breaks | 23K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hord and Hall silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Coly-Uly silt loams, 11 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coly and Uly silt loams, 3 to 11 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hobbs silt loam, frequently flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nuckolls and Uly silt loams, 11 to 17 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, plains and breaks | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hobbs and McCook silt loams, occasionally flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege and Uly soils, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hord and Hall silt loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| McCook loam, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uly silt loam, 3 to 11 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Munjor fine sandy loam, rarely flooded | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munjor loamy fine sand, rarely flooded | 2K | Well drained | A | 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 22% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 42% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.