Sacramento County, California

Survey Area CA067• California

The dominant drainage class is Moderately 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 Sacramento 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
San Joaquin silt loam, leveled, 0 to 1 percent slopes	55K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Redding gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, MLRA 17	31K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
San Joaquin silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	29K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gazwell mucky clay, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes	24K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	22K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Xerarents-Fiddyment complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	21K		D	Not limited	Not limited
Hadselville-Pentz complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Clear Lake clay, hardpan substratum, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	17K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Xerorthents, dredge tailings, 2 to 50 percent slopes	17K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Egbert clay, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes	15K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
San Joaquin-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Corning complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Urban land	13K		D	Not limited	Not limited
Whiterock loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sailboat silt loam, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 16	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
San Joaquin-Galt complex, leveled, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rindge mucky silt loam, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 16	9K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Scribner clay loam, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 16	9K	Poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
San Joaquin silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Xerarents-Urban land-San Joaquin complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes	9K	Well drained		Not limited	Not 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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 78% 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 82% 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

Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.