Hooker County, Nebraska

Survey Area NE091• Nebraska

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 Hooker 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	299K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes	96K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Valentine-Dunday complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes	19K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Valentine fine sand, hilly, 24 to 60 percent slopes	12K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Valentine-Birdwood complex, 9 to 80 percent slopes	11K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Valentine-Mullen complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes	3K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Dunday loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	3K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Valentine-Els complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes	2K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Valentine severely eroded-Valentine complex, 0 to 60 percent slopes	2K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Valentine-Tryon, complex, 0 to 24 percent slopes	2K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Nenzel loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	1K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dunday loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes	1K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Valentine fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	1K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Bolent-Almeria complex, channeled, frequently flooded	949	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Mullen loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	687	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Ipage-Els complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	673	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Valentine-Libory complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes	584	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Nenzel loamy fine sand, calcareous, 0 to 3 percent slopes	480	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Calamus-Bolent loamy fine sands, channeled, occasionally flooded	452	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Els, calcareous-Hoffland complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	438	Somewhat poorly 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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

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.