Tahoe Basin Area, California and Nevada
The most common soil here is Cassenai, on about 5% of the land: a coarse sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Meeks and Cagwin come next.
About 49% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 54% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% 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 26% 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 Tahoe Basin 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Tahoe Basin 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 | 130K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Cagwin Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cagwin-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, extremely stony | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock Outcrop-Rockbound complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | D | Not rated | Very limited | |
| Cassenai gravelly loamy coarse sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes, very stony | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock Outcrop-Rockbound complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 6K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Whittell-Jobsis-Rock outcrop complex, cool, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cassenai gravelly loamy coarse sand, 30 to 50 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Temo-Witefels complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tahoma-Jorge complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Jorge-Tahoma complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jorge very cobbly fine sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, rubbly | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic | 4K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Meeks gravelly loamy coarse sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes, extremenly bouldery | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Temo-Witefels complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, volcanic | 3K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Christopher-Gefo complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Jobsis-Whittell-Rock outcrop complex, cool, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dagget very gravelly loamy coarse sand, moist, 15 to 30 percent slopes, rubbly | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cassenai gravelly loamy coarse sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 54% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.