Soil series profile
Gibbon soil series
Gibbon is a somewhat poorly drained soil with a loam surface, mapped on 142,022 acres in 43 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group C.
- Drainage class
- Somewhat poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- C 84% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 7.9 moderately alkaline · range 7.8–7.9
- Mapped area
- 142k acres in 43 counties, 3 states
Typical Gibbon profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–7 in (Ap) | Loam | 7.9 | 20% | 37% | 3% |
| 7–14 in (A) | Loam | 7.9 | 19% | 38% | 3% |
| 14–22 in (AC) | Loam | 8.5 | 20% | 37% | 3% |
| 22–36 in (Cg1) | Loam | 8.5 | 24% | 33% | 0.75% |
| 36–44 in (2Cg2) | Fine sandy loam | 8.2 | 15% | 69% | 0.75% |
| 44–60 in (2Cg3) | Fine sand | 8.2 | 5% | 94% | 0.75% |
What this means
What Gibbon soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Gibbon soils is moderately alkaline: pH 7.9 (most land between 7.8 and 7.9). Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Gibbon acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is silt loam (51% of mapped Gibbon acres).
100% of mapped Gibbon acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.
For lawns and yards
On 97% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Gibbon soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Flooding is mapped on 92% of the acres (80% occasional, 0% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Gibbon soil is found
Mapped acres
Gibbon is mapped in Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge County, NE | 27,901 | 8.2% |
| Douglas County, NE | 11,607 | 5.5% |
| Madison County, NE | 10,512 | 2.9% |
| Platte County, NE | 9,515 | 2.2% |
| Buffalo County, NE | 8,882 | 1.4% |
| Butler County, NE | 8,572 | 2.3% |
| Merrick County, NE | 6,610 | 2.1% |
| Furnas County, NE | 6,538 | 1.4% |
| Sherman County, NE | 5,807 | 1.6% |
| Saunders County, NE | 5,226 | 1.1% |
| Jewell County, KS | 5,206 | 0.9% |
| Hall County, NE | 3,536 | 1.0% |
| Webster County, NE | 3,405 | 0.9% |
| Sarpy County, NE | 3,173 | 2.1% |
| Antelope County, NE | 2,987 | 0.6% |
| Stanton County, NE | 2,773 | 1.0% |
| Nance County, NE | 2,691 | 1.0% |
| Custer County, NE | 2,388 | 0.1% |
| Knox County, NE | 2,059 | 0.3% |
| Dawson County, NE | 1,997 | 0.3% |
| Franklin County, NE | 1,961 | 0.5% |
| Howard County, NE | 1,723 | 0.5% |
| Nuckolls County, NE | 1,306 | 0.4% |
| Republic County, KS | 1,130 | 0.2% |
| Kearney County, NE | 952 | 0.3% |
| Polk County, NE | 695 | 0.2% |
| Cuming County, NE | 684 | 0.2% |
| Garfield County, NE | 619 | 0.2% |
| Clay County, KS | 577 | 0.1% |
| Wayne County, NE | 390 | 0.1% |
| Cloud County, KS | 240 | 0.1% |
| Boone County, NE | 90 | 0.0% |
| Charles Mix County, SD | 86 | 0.0% |
| Greeley County, NE | 51 | 0.0% |
| Colfax County, NE | 42 | 0.0% |
| Red Willow County, NE | 26 | 0.0% |
| Boyd County, NE | 20 | 0.0% |
| Keya Paha County, NE | 16 | 0.0% |
| Pierce County, NE | 11 | 0.0% |
| Adams County, NE | 7 | 0.0% |
| Washington County, NE | 6 | 0.0% |
| Cedar County, NE | 4 | 0.0% |
| Cass County, NE | 1 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Gibbon acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Gibbon acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 2.2 feet (26 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on 11% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on 92% of acres (80% occasional, 0% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–1% (median 1%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 3%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 0.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 100.0% |
| Poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 3.1% |
| C: slow infiltration | 83.8% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 0.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 13.1% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Gibbon (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 142,022 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Gibbon components. The profile comes from the single largest Gibbon component. Full methodology.