Morrill County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valentine, on about 25% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Valent and Busher come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 67% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% of it.
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 Morrill 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Morrill 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, 9 to 24 percent slopes, dry | 130K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling and hilly, 9 to 60 percent slopes , dry | 69K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valent fine sand, rolling | 45K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tassel-Busher loamy very fine sands, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, dry | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Tassel complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tassel loamy very fine sand, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valent loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dix loamy coarse sand, 6 to 50 percent slopes | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bankard fine sand, channeled, frequently flooded | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otero loamy very fine sand, 9 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Els fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otero very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Valentine loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, dry | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Jayem fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Busher-Tassel loamy very fine sands, 9 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Janise loam, occasionally flooded | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wildhorse fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mitchell very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | 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 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 67% 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.