Sheridan County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valentine, on about 43% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Tuthill and Dunday come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 26% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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 , dry | 313K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes | 106K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes, dry | 89K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tassel-Ponderosa-Rock outcrop association, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 65K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, hilly, 24 to 60 percent slopes | 63K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes, dry | 58K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Oglala-Canyon complex, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ponderosa-Tassel-Vetal complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keya loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wildhorse-Ipage, calcareous complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oglala-Canyon complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tuthill fine sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dunday loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, dry | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wildhorse-Hoffland complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ipage fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tuthill fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Orpha-Niobrara complex, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Satanta fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Beckton silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Not 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 26% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.