Benton-Owens Valley Area Parts of Inyo and Mono Counties, California

Survey Area CA802• California

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Benton-Owens Valley Area Parts of Inyo and Mono Counties, California. 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
Playas	67K			Very limited	Very limited
Lithic Torriorthents-Lithic Haplargids-Rock outcrop complex, cool, 30 to 75 percent slopes	32K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pizona-Brantel association, 2 to 50 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Brantel gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes	23K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Chidago gravelly loamy sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes	23K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Honova loamy coarse sand, slightly moist, 9 to 30 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Millner-Millner stony association, 5 to 15 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Mazourka-Eclipse complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Brantel gravelly coarse sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes	15K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Alamedawell gravelly substratum-Brantel association, 0 to 4 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Honova extremey cobbly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lithic Torriorthents-Lithic Haplargids-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Torrifluvents-Fluvaquentic Endoaquolls complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Montezuma-Brantel complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes	14K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Lithic Xeric Haplargids-Lithic Xeric Torriorthents complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cambidic Haplodurids-Typic Haplodurids association, cool, 5 to 50 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lubkin-Tinemaha complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Goodale-Cartago complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Taboose-Lava flows complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Zono coarse sand, 15 to 50 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	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.

Entisols

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

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

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 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, 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.