Bryan County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Bernow, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Durant and Dennis come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 15% of it.
USDA rates 73% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Bryan County, Oklahoma, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Bryan County, Oklahoma. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durant loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 50K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dennis loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 26K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Crockett-Durant complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burleson clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ferris-Tarrant complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verdigris silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskogee silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dennis loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Durant-Verdigris complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow-Romia complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gowton loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernow-Romia complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Boxville fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fitzhugh-Bates complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bernow-Bosville complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Parsons silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaufman clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 73% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.