Fish Lake and Deep Springs Valleys Area, California

Survey Area CA806• California

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 Fish Lake and Deep Springs Valleys Area, 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
Xeric Torriorthents-Lomoine-Xeric Torriorthents, deep association	49K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cirac-Luning association	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Typic Haplocalcids-Typic Halocalcids, extremely stony association	14K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Itme-Izo association	11K	Excessively drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Entero-Penelas-Slatery association	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Entero-Ubehebe-Penelas association	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weepah-Slatery-Penelas association	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ambrosia-Typic Haplocalcids association	9K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Slaw-Cirac complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bluewing-Izo complex, 5-15% slopes	8K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Typic Haplocalcids-Wardenot association	8K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Stonell-Wardenot-Izo association	5K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Xeric Torriorthents-Lithic Xeric Torriorthents-Typic Haplocalcids, moderately deep association	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Itme-Luning-Wardenot association	5K	Excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Aridic Haploxerolls-Xeric Torriorthents association	4K	Somewhat excessively drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sodic Endoaquents, very poorly drained-Aquic Torrifluvents association	4K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Armoine-Blappert-Rock outcrop association	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Beano-Wardenot association	3K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cucamungo-Alcan association	2K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wardenot-Izo association	2K	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.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Mollisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 68% 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 84% 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.