The Brothers That Just Do Gutters · NW Arkansas · Ozark Ground Check
What’s Under Your Roof Water in Northwest Arkansas?
A gutter only does half the job. The ground your downspouts empty onto decides whether water drains away or sits against your foundation. Get a free Ozark Ground Report with the actual USDA soil under your spot, how deep the dense layer sits, and where your downspouts should end.
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- USDA soil survey data
- Arkansas Contractor License #0475791126
- Underground downspout drainage
- Fragipan
- Slow-draining
- Shallow rock
- Faster-draining
Quick answer
Soil and downspouts in Northwest Arkansas: USDA’s soil survey shows fragipan, a dense layer that water barely gets through, under at least a quarter of the land in 27 of the 39 towns our NW Arkansas team serves, and under most of Springdale, Rogers, Centerton, Siloam Springs and Tontitown. Rain soaks into the topsoil, hits that layer about two feet down and spreads sideways, so roof water dumped beside a foundation tends to stay there. Codes based on the International Residential Code call for the ground to fall at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet of a foundation, and getting downspout water past that zone, by extension or underground drainage, is the fix. Check your ground above, call (479) 370-5248 or book online.
See it underground
Watch where your roof water actually goes
Pick a downspout setup and watch the water. On Ozark fragipan, a short elbow sends a storm’s worth of roof water down two feet, onto a layer it cannot get through, and right back against your foundation.
Know your ground
Four kinds of Ozark ground, four different fixes
A dense, brittle layer roots and water barely get through. It sits about 1.5 to 2.5 feet down across much of the Springfield Plateau prairies, and it turns sideways every drop that reaches it.
USDA rates soils from Hydrologic Soil Group A, which soaks water up fast, to D, which barely takes it in. C and D soils send more of every storm across the surface.
Around Berryville, Holiday Island, Ozark and Eureka Springs, bedrock sits close under the yard. Less soil means less storage, so roof runoff moves fast and needs a planned path.
The Arkansas Geological Survey notes the Boone Formation limestone is the surface rock across Benton and Carroll counties, where sinkholes are abundant. Never point a downspout toward one.
Town by town
What’s underground in every town we serve
Share of each town’s land by ground type, measured across its full U.S. Census boundary from USDA’s soil survey.
Does Highfill have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 70% of the land in Highfill is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in HighfillDoes Centerton have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 69% of the land in Centerton is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in CentertonDoes Rogers have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 69% of the land in Rogers is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in RogersDoes Gravette have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 67% of the land in Gravette is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in GravetteDoes Mulberry have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 66% of the land in Mulberry is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down.
Gutter service in MulberryDoes Springdale have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 65% of the land in Springdale is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down.
Gutter service in SpringdaleDoes Elkins have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 63% of the land in Elkins is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 22 inches down. 33% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in ElkinsDoes Siloam Springs have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 61% of the land in Siloam Springs is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. 28% is other slow-draining clay and silt. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Siloam SpringsDoes Cave Springs have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 60% of the land in Cave Springs is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Cave SpringsDoes Elm Springs have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 59% of the land in Elm Springs is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down.
Gutter service in Elm SpringsDoes Tontitown have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 59% of the land in Tontitown is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down.
Gutter service in TontitownDoes Lowell have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 58% of the land in Lowell is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in LowellDoes Gentry have fragipan soil?
Fragipan countryAbout 57% of the land in Gentry is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in GentryDoes Berryville have fragipan soil?
Shallow rockAbout 2% of the land in Berryville is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 86% sits on shallow bedrock. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in BerryvilleDoes Holiday Island have fragipan soil?
Shallow rockAbout 10% of the land in Holiday Island is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. Another 83% sits on shallow bedrock. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Holiday IslandDoes Ozark have fragipan soil?
Shallow rockAbout 15% of the land in Ozark is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 46% sits on shallow bedrock.
Gutter service in OzarkDoes Eureka Springs have fragipan soil?
Shallow rockAbout 23% of the land in Eureka Springs is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 18 inches down. Another 39% sits on shallow bedrock. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Eureka SpringsDoes Lincoln have fragipan soil?
Shallow rockAbout 46% of the land in Lincoln is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 36% sits on shallow bedrock.
Gutter service in LincolnDoes Winslow have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 0% of the land in Winslow is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey. Another 13% sits on shallow bedrock. 81% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in WinslowDoes Cedarville have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 2% of the land in Cedarville is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 24% sits on shallow bedrock. 63% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in CedarvilleDoes Huntsville have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 8% of the land in Huntsville is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 19 inches down. Another 21% sits on shallow bedrock. 52% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in HuntsvilleDoes Fayetteville have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 22% of the land in Fayetteville is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 22 inches down. 49% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in FayettevilleDoes Alma have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 37% of the land in Alma is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. 47% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in AlmaDoes Greenland have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 19% of the land in Greenland is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 22 inches down. Another 14% sits on shallow bedrock. 43% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in GreenlandDoes Van Buren have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 25% of the land in Van Buren is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 18% sits on shallow bedrock. 37% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in Van BurenDoes Fort Smith have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 38% of the land in Fort Smith is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 15% sits on shallow bedrock. 36% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in Fort SmithDoes Garfield have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 44% of the land in Garfield is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 31% is other slow-draining clay and silt. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in GarfieldDoes Little Flock have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 45% of the land in Little Flock is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 28% is other slow-draining clay and silt. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Little FlockDoes West Fork have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 30% of the land in West Fork is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 22 inches down. Another 11% sits on shallow bedrock. 28% is other slow-draining clay and silt.
Gutter service in West ForkDoes Green Forest have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 47% of the land in Green Forest is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 24 inches down. Another 22% sits on shallow bedrock. 26% is other slow-draining clay and silt. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Green ForestDoes Prairie Grove have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 33% of the land in Prairie Grove is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 26% is other slow-draining clay and silt. 40% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils.
Gutter service in Prairie GroveDoes Pea Ridge have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 42% of the land in Pea Ridge is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 25% is other slow-draining clay and silt. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Pea RidgeDoes Bentonville have fragipan soil?
Slow-draining groundAbout 47% of the land in Bentonville is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in BentonvilleDoes Mountainburg have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 17% of the land in Mountainburg is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. 62% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils.
Gutter service in MountainburgDoes Prairie Creek have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 26% of the land in Prairie Creek is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 59% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Prairie CreekDoes Bella Vista have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 37% of the land in Bella Vista is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 18 inches down. 56% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils. It is also in the Boone limestone karst belt, where sinkholes are common.
Gutter service in Bella VistaDoes Farmington have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 12% of the land in Farmington is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 25 inches down. Another 10% sits on shallow bedrock. 26% is other slow-draining clay and silt. 52% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils.
Gutter service in FarmingtonDoes Johnson have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 42% of the land in Johnson is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 20 inches down. 52% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils.
Gutter service in JohnsonDoes Goshen have fragipan soil?
Faster-draining groundAbout 21% of the land in Goshen is fragipan soil on USDA’s soil survey, with the dense layer typically about 22 inches down. 26% is other slow-draining clay and silt. 47% drains faster, mostly cherty upland soils.
Gutter service in GoshenThe 10-foot rule
Where your downspouts should end
Building codes based on the International Residential Code (section R401.3) call for the ground to fall at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet from a foundation. That first 10 feet is the zone to keep roof water out of. On fragipan and rock, a short elbow at the corner of the house just moves the puddle a foot. We carry the water past that zone with extensions, or with underground downspout drainage that runs to a daylight outlet or the curb.
Ozark drainage questions
Much of the area has slow-draining soil, and many towns have a dense fragipan layer about two feet down. Water soaks into the top layer, hits the fragipan and spreads sideways, so downspout water released at the house tends to stay near the foundation.
Use the Ozark Ground Check at the top of this page and tap “Check the ground where I am.” It reads USDA’s soil survey for your spot. For an official lot map, USDA’s Web Soil Survey lets you draw your property and see every soil type on it.
Codes based on the International Residential Code call for the ground to fall at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet from a foundation, so we aim to release roof water beyond that 10-foot zone, onto ground that slopes away.
If your yard is flat, tight to a neighbor, or sits on fragipan or shallow rock, underground drainage that carries water to a daylight outlet or the curb is usually the most reliable option. Our crews size and route it to your lot.
A dense, brittle subsoil layer that roots and water barely get through. USDA soil surveys map it across much of the Springfield Plateau, including Springdale, Rogers, Centerton, Siloam Springs and Tontitown.
The Arkansas Geological Survey describes the Boone Formation limestone, the surface rock across Benton and Carroll counties, as having abundant sinkholes. Downspout water should never be directed toward one.
Sources and how this works
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), via Soil Data Access
- USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGER boundaries
- Arkansas Geological Survey, Springfield Plateau and the Boone Formation
- International Code Council, International Residential Code section R401.3, Drainage
CrowdBoost built the Ozark Ground Check for The Brothers That Just Do Gutters in October 2026 from 9,781 USDA soil map polygons covering every town’s U.S. Census boundary. Each map unit is classed by its main soil: fragipan when the survey records a fragipan restriction, shallow rock when bedrock sits within about 40 inches, slow-draining for Hydrologic Soil Groups C and D, and faster-draining for groups A and B. The location check reads a grid of roughly 150 meter squares, so it shows the soil around your spot, not a survey of your lot.
Free estimates
Ready to get roof water away from your foundation?
Free, no-pressure estimates from our Springdale-based team. Seamless gutters formed at your home, downspouts sized for Ozark downpours, and underground drainage that carries the water where it belongs.
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Licensed & Insured · Arkansas Contractor License #0475791126