Colorado Desert Area, California
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Colorado Desert Area, California.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torriorthents, Torripsamments, and Haplargids; hyperthermic fan piedmonts | 1.5M | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Haplocalcids, and Rock outcrop; hyperthermic hills and mountains | 813K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas-Chemwash complex, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 109K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Hyder association, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 76K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Carsitas-Carsitas non gravely complex, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 49K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 46K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rizzo-Carsitas complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Chemehuevi extremely gravelly loam-Rizzo occasionally flooded complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents and Torripsamments; hyperthermic basins | 33K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplocambids-Snaggletooth complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 32K | Excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Torripsamments and Torriorthents; hyperthermic dunes and alluvium | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Buzzardsprings-Catfishbay taxadjunct-Catfishbay complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Typic Haplargids and Lithic Haplargids; thermic hills and mountains | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas-Rositas-Buzzardsprings complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rock outcrop-Blackeagle complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 20K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Chemehuevi-Rizzo-Emptygun complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emptygun-Rizzo complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Imperial-Niland complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Emptygun-Chemehuevi association, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 33% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.