Murray County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Clarita, on about 14% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Kiti and Chigley come next.
About 51% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Murray 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Murray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiti-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarita clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clarita clay, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garvin and Elandco soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rayford cobbly loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Kiti complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 12K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Durant loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shidler-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chigley and Clarita soils, 3 to 5 percent slopes, gullied | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Claremore-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chigley gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Garvin silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chigley gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Durant loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Timhill stony silt loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kiti-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Travertine-Bromide complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shidler-Clarita complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burleson clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very 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 83% 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 90% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.