Kiowa County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Hollister, on about 18% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Tillman and Vernon come next.
About 89% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% 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 Kiowa 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 Kiowa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollister silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, moist | 114K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 38K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernon clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| St. Paul silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clairemont and Mangum soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lawton loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Brico complex, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 23K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Vernon-Knoco complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman-Hinkle complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miller clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Paul silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Foard silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Lawton loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Lugert loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carey silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tobosa clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman-Vernon complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McKnight fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | 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 66% 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 91% 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.