Inyo National Forest, Western Part, California
The most common soil here is Vitrandic Xerorthents, on about 3% of the land. Vitrandic Xeropsamments and Toem come next.
About 90% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 60% 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 Inyo National Forest, Western Part, California, 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 Somewhat excessively 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 Inyo National Forest, Western Part, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Benchlake-Typic Xerorthents, cool association, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 51K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex | 48K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 43K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Toem-Rock outcrop-Cagwin complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 25K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brantel family, 0 to 15 percent slopes. | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sirretta-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 21K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delaney family-Rock outcrop-Vitrandic Torriorthents, ashy complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes. | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stecum family-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes. | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Torriorthents-Torriorthentic Haploxerolls complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vitrandic Xerorthents, ashy-Vitrandic Xeropsamments-Vitrandic Cryorthents, ashy complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes. | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cagwin-Toem-Monache association, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Xerorthents-Vitrandic Xeropsamments complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes. | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waterman-Sur families-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wrango-Berent families-Rock outcrop association, 30 to 60 percent slopes. | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanamkin family-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes. | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cagwin-Toem-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cozetica family-Rock outcrop assication, 15 to 60 percent slopes. | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Xerorthents, pumiceous-Vitrandic Xeropsamments-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes. | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Powment complex, 60 to 90 percent slopes. | 10K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neuske-Basket families complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes. | 10K | Well drained | C | 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 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.