Surface coal mine reclamation is challenged by alterations in soil characteristics, compaction being the most plant-yield reducing. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) ability to retain large volumes of water gives them the potential to alter soil properties. Laboratory objectives were to determine how SAPs alter water retention, liquid limit (LL), evaporation, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), and compression across five soil series. Increasing SAP application rates to 0.2% significantly increased plant available water (PAW), stage one evaporation duration, LL, stage two evaporative water loss, and significantly decreased stage one evaporative water loss, Ksat, and compression for various soil series. Field study investigated how SAP, deep ripping (R) and mulch (M) impacted penetration resistance and spring wheat yield (Triticum aestivum). Application of 0.04% SAP improved yields similar to R. Penetration resistance decreased with R, and SAP application showed reduction similar to R. While SAPs show potential as a reclamation tool, application longevity needs evaluation.