Modoc National Forest Area, California
The most common soil here is Deven family, on about 7% of the land. Pass Canyon family and Elmore family come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 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 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Modoc National Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paynepeak-Fingeridge assciation | 68K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lawyer deep-Elmore deep families association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 67K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Deven-Bieber-Barnard families complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes. | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lawyer-Elmore-Gwin families association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 49K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Deven-Bieber-Pass Canyon fanilies association, 1 to 15 percent slopes. | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Germany family-Lithic Xerumbrepts-Lava flows association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 48K | Well drained | Not limited | Very limited | |
| Supan-Supan deep-Pass Canyon families association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 48K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bieber-Deven-Roval families complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes. | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Deven-Pass Canyon families complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes. | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Puls-Roval-Dishner families complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes. | 45K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Water | 41K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bakeoven family-Lava flows-Lithic Xerorthents, mesic association, 1 to 15 percent slopes. | 39K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Roval-Pass Canyon families complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes. | 36K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Pass Canyon-Elmore families-Lava flows association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 33K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pass Canyon-Los Gatos families complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 32K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lava flows | 31K | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Smarts deep-Smarts families complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes. | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pass Canyon-Fordice-Gwin families association, 1 to 20 percent slopes. | 26K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pass Canyon-Fordice-Gwin families association, 20 to 40 percent slopes. | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Packwood-Ditchcamp families-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes. | 26K | Well 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 62% 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 75% 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.