Kearney County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Holdrege, on about 33% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Kenesaw and Valentine come next.
About 79% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 24% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% 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 Kearney 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 Kearney 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, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kenesaw silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Coly-Kenesaw silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Detroit silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, rolling | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Butler silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, overblown, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Simeon sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Coly silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alda loam, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Els loamy fine sands, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wann fine sandy loam, rarely flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holdrege silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded, plains and breaks | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Coly-Uly silt loams, 6 to 11 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Libory loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hord silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, warm | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kenesaw silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 24% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 74% 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.