Sutter County, California
The most common soil here is Clear Lake, on about 10% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Capay and Oswald come next.
About 27% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 28% 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 Sutter County, California, 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Sutter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 30K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capay silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conejo-Tisdale complex, 0 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Oswald clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olashes sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nueva loam, 0 to 1 percent | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marcum-Gridley clay loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cometa loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Subaco clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palls-Stohlman stony sandy loams, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capay silty clay, wet 0 to 2 percent | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gridley clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shanghai silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tisdale clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Conejo loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palls-Stohlman stony loams, cool, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marcum clay loam, siltstone substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yuvas loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capay silty clay, siltstone substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately 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 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 94% 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.