Toiyabe National Forest Area, California
The most common soil here is Lithnip, on about 6% of the land: a extremely gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hawkinspeak and Joecut come next.
About 94% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 98% 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 84% 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 Toiyabe National Forest Area, 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 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 Toiyabe National Forest Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithnip-Rock outcrop-Fishsnooze complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 66K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toiyabe-Corbett-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 35K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whittell-Jobsis-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Joecut-Heenlake association | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawkinspeak-Thiefridge-Angelwhine association | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Florand-Lostridge-Fishsnooze association | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dab-Longday-Thiefridge association | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sofgran-Temo-Shalgran association | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heenlake-Loope-Chenhigh association | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hardnut-Ocashe association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithnip-Hawkinspeak-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Murain association | 13K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sofgran-Klauspeak-Temo association | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leroman-Chenhigh-Celeridge association | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burchflat-Celeridge-Loope association | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burchflat-Loope association | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delhew-Grandridge-Bakscratch association | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Granylith-Hargran-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toejom-Pimogran-Rock outcrop association | 9K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burnlake-Roadcat association | 9K | Well 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 98% 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 98% 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.