Hitchcock County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Sulco, on about 36% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Keith and Blackwood come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 50% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 43% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulco silt loam, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 125K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith and Blackwood silt loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sulco complex, 9 to 60 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ulysses-Sulco silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blackwood silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Blackwood silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sulco loam, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sulco-Ulysses silt loams, 9 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackwood loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Buffalo Park silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridget silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridget silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Valent fine sand, rolling | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Inavale loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sulco silt loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Craft loam, channeled, frequently flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | 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 43% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 50% 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.