Soil survey area

Harmon County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK057• Oklahoma
The short version

The most common soil here is Westill, on about 8% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Woodward and Grandfield come next.

About 96% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 40% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 33% 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 Harmon County, Oklahoma, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Westill
8% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Woodward
7% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Inceptisols
Grandfield
6% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Aspermont
6% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Inceptisols
Tilvern
6% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Inceptisols
Vernon
6% of the area
Clay topsoil · well drained
Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.
Inceptisols

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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Harmon County, Oklahoma. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Tilvern clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 22K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Westill clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 22K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Woodward-Quinlan complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 19K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Vernon-Knoco complex, cool, 1 to 12 percent slopes 18K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Grandfield loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 15K Well drainedBNot limitedVery limited
Aspermont silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Knoco, Rock outcrop, and Cottonwood soils, 2 to 20 percent slopes 14K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Knoco-Badland complex, dry, 1 to 12 percent slopes 11K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Madge loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBNot limitedVery limited
Springer and Devol loamy sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes 9K Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Tipton loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 9K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Woodward-Quinlan complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes 8K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Talpa-Aspermont-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes 8K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Westill clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 7K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Devol and Springer loamy sands, 3 to 8 percent slopes 6K Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Quinlan-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 45 percent slopes 6K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Vernon clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded 6K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Water 6K DNot ratedNot rated
La Casa silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 5K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tipton fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 5K Well drainedBSomewhat 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.

Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 40% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 89% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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