Little Colorado River Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties
The most common soil here is Sheppard, on about 8% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Hajisho and Monue come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 71% 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 Little Colorado River Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties, 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 Little Colorado River Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claysprings-Huerfano-Tuba complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 208K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Monue complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 175K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Moffat-Monue complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 135K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Epikom-Leupp complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 119K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meriwhitica-Wayneco-Tassi family, complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 115K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Rock outcrop-Sheppard, moderately deep complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 101K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jocity-Joraibi-Navajo-Riverwash complex , 0 to 2 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hajisho-Seeg complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 81K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shorthair-Moenkopie complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leupp-Hoskinnini complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Navajo-Jocity complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shinume-Leupp-Rock outcrop complex, 4 to 35 percent slopes | 69K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hajisho-Seeg complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 66K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hajisho-Cataract family-Shinume complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tassi gravelly loamy very fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shorthair-Rock outcrop-Sheppard complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 62K | D | Not rated | Very limited | |
| Persayo-Hanksville complex, 4 to 60 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mellenthin-Placitas-Mellenthin, extremely stony, complex, 4 to 35 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arches-Rock outcrop-Mido complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 56K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Moenkopie-Needle complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 48K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very 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 70% 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 82% 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.