Baca County, Colorado
The most common soil here is Baca, on about 18% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Wiley and Vona come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 52% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 8% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Baca County, 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 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 Baca County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baca silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 293K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Campo clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 155K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wiley loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 143K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manter-Vona sandy loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 117K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wiley loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 87K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Otero sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 69K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Vona loamy sand, warm, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 51K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 0 to1 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fort Collins loam, warm, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Minnequa-Manvel complex | 46K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wages loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Otero sandy loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Bankard sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, moist, frequently flooded | 29K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harvey loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wiley loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rough stony land | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Potter gravelly loam | 22K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gravelly land | 22K | 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 52% 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
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.