Mohave County Area, Arizona, Northeastern Part, and Part of Coconino County
The most common soil here is Mellenthin, on about 12% of the land: a very stony fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Pennell and Clayhole come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 66% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% 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 53% 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 Mohave County Area, Arizona, Northeastern Part, and Part of Coconino County, 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Mohave County Area, Arizona, Northeastern Part, and Part of Coconino County. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellenthin very gravelly loam, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pennell gravelly loam, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pennell-Bacobi complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Saido-Brinkerhoff complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Poley-Moab complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clayhole loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Haplogypsids-Haplogypsids, shallow complex, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barx fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Jocity-Clayhole complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Havasupai-Mellenthin complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bidonia-Bond-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jocity silty clay loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grieta loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Yumtheska very gravelly loam, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinan-Hatknoll-Grieta complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Showlow very cobbly clay loam, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grieta fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Royosa-Tonalea complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mellenthin-Barx complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well 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 59% 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 66% 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.