Garvin County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Stephenville, on about 11% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Renfrow and Clarita come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% 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 Garvin 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Garvin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renfrow silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 30K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stephenville-Darnell complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarita clay, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stephenville fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Zaneis loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clarita clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grainola clay loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stephenville and Newalla soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes, gullied | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Teller fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Garvin silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stephenville fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Port silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keokuk silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Renfrow silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, gullied | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chigley gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Port and Pulaski soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yahola fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dale silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Newalla fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chigley gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.