Kay County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Kirkland, on about 17% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Milan and Tabler come next.
About 72% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% 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 Kay 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 Kay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tabler silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 47K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shilder-Westsum complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirkland-Renfrow complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Agra-Foraker complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethany silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Agra-Foraker complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milan loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 16K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Reinach loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Milan loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brewer silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grainola-Ashport, frequently flooded, complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lela clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westsum silty clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vanoss silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Foraker clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashport silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vanoss silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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.