Sioux County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valent, on about 15% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Tassel and Busher come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 60% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 46% 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 Sioux 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 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 Sioux 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busher-Tassel loamy very fine sands, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 128K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tassel-Ponderosa-Rock outcrop association, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tassel-Ashollow-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 60 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 70K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Oglala-Canyon complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent fine sand, 9 to 20 percent slopes | 48K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tassel-Busher-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jayem loamy very fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Pierre-Samsil, moderately deep silty clays, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ashollow loamy very fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Pierre clay, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent complex, rolling and hilly | 32K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Busher-Tassel complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oglala-Canyon very fine sandy loams, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Busher loamy very fine sand, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ponderosa-Tassel-Vetal complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bufton clay loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sarben loamy very fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Valent loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Not 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 60% 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.