Missouri Soil Surveys

Missouri has 114 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil, making up roughly 46% of surveyed soils. Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter account for another 26%.

In terms of drainage, 29% of Missouri soils are classified as well drained. About 30% of soils have some form of poor drainage, which is important to consider for septic systems and foundations. Drainage class affects everything from septic system design to basement feasibility to garden planning. Use the survey area pages below to see drainage details for specific counties, or look up any address for an exact soil profile.