The somewhat poorly drained Mahaska soils and the poorly drained Taintor soils are in a drainage sequence with the Otley soils. The Adair, Lamoni, and Shelby soils contain more sand. The Clarinda, Ely, Lamoni, and Sperry soils are wetter and have less brown colors in the B horizon. Ely and Judson soils have thicker mollic epipedons and lack argillic horizons. Moderately well drained.
Surface runoff is medium to rapid.
Permeability is moderate. Commonly used for growing crops. Corn, soybeans, small grains, and hays are grown. Native vegetation was tall prairie grasses. Otley soils are extensive.