Jackson County Area, South Dakota, Northern Part

Survey Area SD611• South Dakota

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 Jackson County Area, South Dakota, Northern Part. 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
Pierre-Samsil clays, 6 to 15 percent slopes	54K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Samsil-Pierre clays, 15 to 25 percent slopes	37K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Promise-Pierre clays, 6 to 9 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Promise-Pierre clays, 3 to 6 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Razor-Midway silty clay loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Samsil clay, 15 to 45 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cactusflat-Weta complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pierre clay, 6 to 9 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nunn loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Hisle silt loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Badland	10K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior loam, channeled, 0 to 6 percent slopes, flooded	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior, occasionally flooded-Cedarpass-Denby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Blackpipe-Wortman silt loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Arvada loam	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nunn-Beckton loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Nunn loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cedarpass-Denby complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Wendte clay, channeled, occasionally flooded	7K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Norrest-Wanblee complex, 2 to 9 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C	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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 94% 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 100% 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.