Spink County, South Dakota
The most common soil here is Aberdeen, on about 8% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Great Bend and Nahon come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 25% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Spink 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 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 Spink 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bend-Beotia silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nahon-Aberdeen-Exline silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 52K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Aberdeen-Nahon silty clay loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 50K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harmony-Aberdeen silty clay loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 46K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Forman-Cresbard loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hand-Ethan-Bonilla loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Beadle-Stickney complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harmony-Beotia silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Max-Arnegard-Zahl loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Great Bend-Zell silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cresbard-Cavour-Heil complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forman-Buse-Aastad loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cavour-Ferney loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Aberdeen-Nahon-Heil silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Exline-Heil silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stickney-Dudley-Hoven silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Houdek-Stickney complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ranslo-Harriet loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kranzburg-Cresbard silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Exline-Aberdeen-Nahon silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly 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 25% 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
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.