Cherokee County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK021• Oklahoma

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Cherokee 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
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes, stony	97K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Enders-Linker-Hector association, 5 to 30 percent slopes	90K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	52K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Clarksville very gravelly silt loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes, stony	25K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Tonti gravelly silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hector fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shidler-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Elsah very gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	20K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Britwater gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Water	18K	Subaqueous	D	Not rated	Not rated
Rock outcrop-Hector complex, 40 to 100 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Britwater gravelly silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Shidler-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Captina silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Newtonia silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Okemah silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Britwater silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Jay silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Razort gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Well drained	B	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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Entisols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 70% 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 83% 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.