Thomas County, Nebraska
The most common soil here is Valentine, on about 90% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Dunday and Natick come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 13% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Thomas 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 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 Thomas 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 | 291K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes | 84K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine fine sand, hilly, 24 to 60 percent slopes | 47K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Dunday complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Birdwood complex, 9 to 80 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Natick sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Libory complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bolent-Calamus loamy sands, rarely flooded | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dunday loamy fine sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Almeria fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 1K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dunday loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Mullen complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 1K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bolent-Almeria complex, channeled, frequently flooded | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pivot loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 904 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 900 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Fluvaquents, sandy, frequently flooded | 661 | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thedford fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 539 | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valentine severely eroded-Valentine complex, 0 to 60 percent slopes | 533 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valentine-Els complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 346 | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Simeon-Valentine complex, 9 to 24 percent slopes | 346 | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 100% 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.