Gregory County, South Dakota
The most common soil here is Labu, on about 14% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Reliance and Sansarc come next.
About 87% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% 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 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Gregory 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 Gregory 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labu-Sansarc silty clays, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 126K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okaton-Lakoma silty clays, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reliance silty clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Anselmo-Tassel fine sandy loams, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 24K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Labu clay, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reliance silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Millboro silty clay, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ree loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jansen loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mariaville loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadin sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Boro-Lakoma silty clays, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bon loam, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onita silt loam, moist | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Meadin sandy loam, 9 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakoma-Millboro silty clays, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wendte silty clay, channeled, occasionally flooded | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Promise clay, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reliance silty clay loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 10K | 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 62% 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 92% 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.