Cotton County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Foard, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Vernon and Port come next.
About 91% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 22% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 23% 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 Cotton 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 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 Cotton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillman-Foard complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foard silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Vernon-Knoco complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zaneis-Huska complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Port clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernon clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zaneis-Grainola-Lucien complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foard-Hinkle complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port-Oscar complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miller clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zaneis loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 10K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Foard-Hinkle complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Lawton loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tillman silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minco very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eda and Tivoli soils, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat 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
About 77% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 69% 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.