Tehama County, California
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Tehama County, California.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toomes very rocky loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheetiron gravelly loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newville gravelly loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 80K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toomes very rocky loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toomes extremely rocky loam, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McCarthy sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lodo and Maymen shaly loams, 30 to 65 percent slopes, eroded | 36K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corning-Newville gravelly loams, 3 to 10 percent slopes , eroded | 36K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Newville gravelly loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuscan cobbly loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockland | 32K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Parrish gravelly loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheetiron gravelly loam, 50 to 65 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Millsholm loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arbuckle gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Corning-Redding gravelly loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sehorn clay and Clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Supan stony loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arbuckle gravelly loam, clayey substratum, channeled | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Newville-Dibble complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. 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.