Siskiyou County, California, Central Part
The most common soil here is Duzel, on about 6% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Jilson and Lassen come next.
About 92% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 67% 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 Siskiyou County, California, Central Part, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Siskiyou County, California, Central Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duzel-Jilson-Facey complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 103K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marpa-Kinkel-Boomer, cool complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 80K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kindig-Neuns gravelly loams, 50 to 80 percent slopes complex | 47K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lassen-Kuck complex, stony, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lassen-Rock outcrop-Kuck complex, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jilson-Duzel gravelly loams, 5 to 50 percent slopes complex | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Haploxerolls-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 65 percent slopes* | 24K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mary-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Xerorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 65 percent slopes* | 21K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 17K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gazelle silt loam | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mary stony loam, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salisbury cobbly loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Settlemeyer loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chaix-Chawanakee gravelly coarse sandy loams, 50 to 70 percent slopes complex | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinehurst stony loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sheld-Iller stony sandy loams, 9 to 30 percent slopes complex | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plutos-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinehurst stony loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Avis-Oosen complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 85% 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 96% 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.