Lake County, California
The most common soil here is Maymen, on about 10% of the land: a gravelly sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Etsel and Sanhedrin come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% 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 80% 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 Lake County, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Lake County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maymen-Etsel-Snook complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes, low ffd | 63K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Etsel-Mayacama complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 49K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Sanhedrin-Kekawaka-Speaker complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Henneke-Montara-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skyhigh-Millsholm loams, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Hopland-Mayacama association, 20 to 60 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Hopland-Etsel association, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Etsel-Speaker association, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neuns-Sanhedrin-Deadwood complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neuns-Sanhedrin-Deadwood complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Millsholm-Bressa loams, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bally-Phipps-Haploxeralfs association, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheetiron-Deadwood association, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Etsel-Snook complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Speaker-Maymen-Marpa association, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neuns-Sanhedrin-Speaker gravelly loams, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Millsholm-Bressa-Hopland association, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Millsholm-Bressa complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Hopland-Mayacama association, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively 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 91% 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 93% 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.