Shasta County Area, California

Survey Area CA607• California

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Shasta County 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
Cohasset stony loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes	52K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Windy and McCarthy stony sandy loams, 0 to 30 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Guenoc very rocky loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes	28K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Newtown gravelly loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded	28K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Maymen very stony loam, 30 to 80 percent slopes, eroded	25K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cohasset stony loam, 10 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 22B	25K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Toomes very rocky loam, 0 to 50 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Toomes very stony loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cohasset loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Rockland	18K	Excessively drained		Very limited	Very limited
Colluvial land	17K	Excessively drained		Very limited	Very limited
Red Bluff loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, MLRA 17, moist	15K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Newtown gravelly loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Windy and McCarthy very stony sandy loams, 30 to 50 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Chaix sandy loam, 50 to 70 percent	13K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Goulding very rocky loam, 50 to 70 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kilarc very stony sandy clay loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Marpa gravelly loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Millsholm gravelly loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Aiken stony loam, 15 to 30 percent	12K	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.

Alfisols

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

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Mollisols

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

Entisols

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

Vertisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 96% 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 100% 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.