Adams County Area, Parts of Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado
The most common soil here is Weld, on about 12% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Ascalon and Adena come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 42% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 15% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 12% 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 Adams County Area, Parts of Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Adams County Area, Parts of Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weld loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 108K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adena-Colby-Wiley association, gently sloping | 65K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adena-Colby-Wiley association, moderately sloping | 35K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Loamy alluvial land | 34K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wiley-Adena-Renohill complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ascalon-Vona sandy loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Arvada loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Terry-Tassel-Ulm complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Weld-Deertrail complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Not limited |
| Platner loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Adena loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Truckton loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ellicott-Glenberg complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colby loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vona loamy sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Nunn loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Truckton sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 42% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.