Castle Rock Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Fondis, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Bresser and Newlin come next.
About 96% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 32% 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 Castle Rock Area, 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 Castle Rock Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton-Pring-Crowfoot sandy loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fondis-Kutch association | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fondis clay loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bresser-Truckton sandy loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Newlin-Satanta complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Newlin gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stony steep land, cold | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crowfoot-Tomah sandy loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stapleton-Bresser association | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coni rocky loam, 3 to 100 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jarre-Brussett association | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Juget rocky complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kippen loamy sand, 1 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brussett loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hilly gravelly land | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fondis clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kettle loamy sand, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loamy alluvial land | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bresser sandy loam, cool, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Loamy wet alluvial land | 6K | Poorly drained | D | 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 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
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.