Stanislaus County, California, Northern Part
The most common soil here is Pentz, on about 27% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Peters and San Joaquin come next.
About 76% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 95% 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 63% 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 Stanislaus County, California, Northern 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 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 Stanislaus County, California, Northern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentz-Peters association, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pentz-Peters association, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peters-Pentz association, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amador sandy loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miltonhills-Amador complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madera sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Archerdale clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonanza-Loafercreek-Gopheridge complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Redding gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, dry | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cometa sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Archerdale-Hicksville association, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 2K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Hicksville loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Honcut sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Exeter sandy clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonanza-Loafercreek complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pentz sandy loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Columbia sandy loam, drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 939 | Somewhat poorly 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 95% 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 97% 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.