Western Riverside Area, California
The most common soil here is Cieneba, on about 9% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Hanford and Tollhouse come next.
About 78% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% 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 48% 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 Western Riverside 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Western Riverside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cieneba rocky sandy loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 113K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tollhouse rocky coarse sandy loam, 8 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 57K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockland | 47K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hanford coarse sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 30K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Friant rocky fine sandy loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lodo rocky loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Terrace escarpments | 27K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Greenfield sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 23K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheephead sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes, eroded, stony | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crafton rocky sandy loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Temescal rocky loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 15K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Gullied land | 15K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Ramona sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 14K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Fallbrook rocky sandy loam, shallow, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monserate sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hanford coarse sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well 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 65% 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 87% 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.