Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona

Survey Area AZ712• Arizona

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Gladel-Evpark families-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 32 percent slopes, stony	29K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Aridic Haplustepts-Rock outcrop complex, 14 to 69 percent slopes, extremely bouldery	18K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Parkelei-Todest family complex, 1 to 9 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Wayneco family-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes, stony	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Ustic Torriorthents complex, 10 to 57 percent slopes, extremely bouldery	5K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Rock outcrop-Moano family complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	2K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Atrac family-Bowdish complex, 2 to 9 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Lykorly family, 1 to 6 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Bebeevar fine sandy loam, high precipitation, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	1K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Parkelei-Gullied land complex, 4 to 23 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Claysprings-Badland-Farb family complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	1K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Yaggy family, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	1K	Moderately well drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Begay family-Gullied land complex, 4 to 18 percent slopes	786	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Zia family, 1 to 8 percent slopes	596	Well drained	A	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Plumasano family, 2 to 9 percent slopes	520	Well drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
Bayfield family, 1 to 4 percent slopes	519	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Querencia family, 1 to 6 percent slopes	335	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Yaggy family, 1 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded, stony	265	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bebeevar fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded	222	Moderately well drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Riverwash-Bebeevar complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	186			Not rated	Not rated

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 72% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.