Soil survey area

Cimarron County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK025• Oklahoma
The short version

The most common soil here is Dalhart, on about 23% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Sherm and Conlen come next.

About 99% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 38% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 14% 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 10% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Dalhart
23% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Sherm
15% of the area
Silty clay loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth and slightly sticky. Holds a lot of water.
Mollisols
Conlen
12% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Gruver
7% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Travessilla
7% of the area
Stony sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Entisols
Kim
5% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Entisols

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 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 Cimarron County, Oklahoma. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Sherm clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 189K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Dalhart loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 133K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Dalhart fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 82K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Gruver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 80K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Conlen-Dalhart complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes 71K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Eva-Optima complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes 68K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Travessilla stony loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes 58K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Dalhart fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 50K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Kim loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 49K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Conlen loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 49K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes 47K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Spurlock loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 39K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Veal-Potter complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes, cool 34K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Conlen loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 33K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Spurlock loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 28K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Conlen fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 28K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Dalhart fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, moderately eroded 22K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Spur clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, cool 20K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Otero loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes 15K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedNot limited
Corlena loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 15K Well drainedAVery limitedVery 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.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
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.
Aridisols
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Vertisols
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

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 38% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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