Soil survey area

Stephens County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK137• Oklahoma
The short version

The most common soil here is Stephenville, on about 21% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Zaneis and Chickasha come next.

About 91% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 28% 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 48% 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 Stephens County, Oklahoma, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Stephenville
21% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Zaneis
13% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Chickasha
10% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Port
8% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Mollisols
Littleaxe
6% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Newalla
6% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · moderately well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols

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 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 Stephens County, Oklahoma. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Stephenville and Littleaxe soils, 3 to 5 percent slopes 50K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Chickasha-Huska complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes 48K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Stephenville-Darnell complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 42K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Zaneis-Grainola-Lucien complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 38K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Stephenville-Pulaski, frequently flooded, complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes 30K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Zaneis-Ashport frequently flooded complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes 24K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Kirkland-Renfrow complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes 24K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Stephenville and Newalla soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded 24K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Stephenville fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes 22K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Port fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 20K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Stephenville and Littleaxe soils, 1 to 3 percent slopes 19K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Port loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 19K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Newalla fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes 17K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Kingfisher-Loco complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 14K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Chickasha loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Port-Oscar complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 14K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Zaneis loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes 13K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Water 11K DNot ratedNot rated
Zaneis loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Stephenville and Littleaxe soils, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded 10K Well drainedCSomewhat 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.

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 28% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 79% 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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