Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
The most common soil here is Stephenville, on about 15% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Grainola and Littleaxe come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 82% 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: 18% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 40% 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 Pottawatomie 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 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 Pottawatomie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephenville-Darnell complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Littleaxe and Stephenville soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 57K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grainola silty clay loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Port loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littleaxe fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grainola-Ashport, frequently flooded, complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Aydelotte clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, severely eroded | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stephenville fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pulaski fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chickasha and Zaneis soils and Gullied land, 1 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Konawa fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Yahola fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aydelotte loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zaneis loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keokuk silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chickasha loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Eufaula fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Konawa fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gaddy loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Renfrow silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | 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 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 82% 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.