Surprise Valley-Home Camp Area, California and Nevada
The most common soil here is Devada, on about 5% of the land: a very cobbly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Old camp and Saraph come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 66% 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 Surprise Valley-Home Camp Area, California and Nevada, 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 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 Surprise Valley-Home Camp Area, California and Nevada. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 58K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Devada-Bucklake association | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chalco-Saraph-Tuffo association | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wylo-Bucklake-Rock outcrop association | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saltmount silty clay loams, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ashtre-Nutzan-Ashdos association | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macnot-Jesayno-Nevadash association | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Old Camp very stony loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ninemile-Karlo-Crocan association | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Devada-Reywat-Bitner association | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saraph-Macnot-Tuffo association | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Playas | 15K | Very poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Nitpac-Tunnison-Devada association | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ferver-Tunnison association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashtre-Bitner association | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crazybird-Warnermount association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mazuma-Bighat association | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Couch-Jesayno association | 13K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Raglan-Mazuma association | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dosie-Rubble land association | 13K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 77% 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 89% 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.