Coconino County Area, Arizona, North Kaibab Part
The most common soil here is Pensom, on about 14% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Arches and Curhollow come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 71% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 73% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Coconino County Area, Arizona, North Kaibab Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
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 Coconino County Area, Arizona, North Kaibab Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arches-Pensom complex, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 144K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Curhollow-Mellenthin complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Arches-Pensom complex, cool, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinan-Pennell complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mellenthin very gravelly loam, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 26K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Yumtheska very gravelly loam, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aneth fine sand, 2 to 16 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pensom fine sand, 2 to 16 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Torriorthents complex, warm, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 19K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Strych loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mellenthin very gravelly loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pagina-Wahweap complex, 3 to 16 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Monue-Seeg complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Barx gravelly loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Curob very gravelly loam, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard loamy fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Klondike sandy clay loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes MLRA 35 | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jocity silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 55% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 71% 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.