Corson County, South Dakota
The most common soil here is Reeder, on about 12% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Rhoades and Cabba come next.
About 85% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 64% 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 Corson County, South Dakota, 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 Corson County, South Dakota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhoades-Daglum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 97K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cabba-Reeder loams, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 89K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reeder-Cabba loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Reeder-Cabba loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Reeder loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bullock-Parchin fine sandy loams, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Flasher-Tally complex, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Flasher-Vebar-Parshall complex, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 55K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Parshall fine sandy loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Cohagen fine sandy loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 49K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Regent-Wyola silty clay loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daglum-Rhoades complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sansarc-Opal-Dupree clays, 9 to 25% slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shambo loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dupree-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhoades-Daglum complex, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Reeder-Rhoades loams, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wayden-Cabba complex, 9 to 40 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bullock-Slickspots-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 40 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | 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 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 81% 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.