Butte County, SD Shrink-Swell Risk

Shrink-swell potential in Butte County, SD

High

Soil across 55% of Butte County, SD comes back "High" in USDA's shrink-swell data, averaging 8.98% linear extensibility. Soil at this level can crack a standard foundation without moisture-control measures - consistent watering near the foundation, correct grading, root barriers - or added structural design.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Butte County, SD - never a reading for one specific parcel. The real answer for one lot is still a site-specific geotechnical report, running about $1,000-$5,000 (typically near $2,700).

Butte County: the real numbers

Butte County's soil reading is exactly the case where a report before construction, or before cracks widen, pays for itself. A geotechnical report runs $1,000-$5,000 (typically $2,700); an actual foundation repair, once cracking sets in, typically runs $5,000-$15,000 (around $10,000 typical) - roughly 4x the report.

Butte County's rank among South Dakota counties

Among the 3,085 rated counties on this site, Butte County, SD ranks 43 most-constrained nationally, and 4 of 66 within South Dakota. Butte County, SD is 2,250 square miles with a population of 10,891.

For contrast

Orleans Parish, LA carries this site's most-constrained reading. Wabash County, IL and Rusk County, WI are worth a look for comparison.

How this reading is built, and its real limits · The warning signs of expansive-clay damage, explained

Elsewhere in South Dakota

Every county in South Dakota is on this site, including Beadle County, SD and Campbell County, SD. The full underlying dataset is downloadable directly, one row per county.