Pawnee County, Nebraska

Survey Area NE133• Nebraska

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Pawnee 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
Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	68K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wymore silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	21K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wymore silty clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Judson silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Wymore silty clay loam, 3 to 11 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Colo and Kennebec soils, occasionally flooded	12K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Burchard clay loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Malmo soils, 3 to 11 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shelby clay loam, 7 to 12 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Nodaway silt loam, occasionally flooded	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Morrill loam, 6 to 11 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Kipson-Benfield silty clay loams, 7 to 17 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Malmo clay loam, 3 to 11 percent slopes, eroded	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wabash silty clay loam, occasionally flooded	6K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kennebec silt loam, rarely flooded	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Steinauer clay loam, 11 to 20 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Steinauer clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Otoe soils, 3 to 6 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kipson-Sogn complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wymore silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	3K	Moderately well drained	D	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.

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.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 100% 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

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.