Chaffee-Lake Area, Colorado, Parts of Chaffee and Lake Counties
The most common soil here is Troutville, on about 15% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Dominson and Rough broken land come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% 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 23% 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 Chaffee-Lake Area, Colorado, Parts of Chaffee and Lake Counties, 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Chaffee-Lake Area, Colorado, Parts of Chaffee and Lake Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troutville gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockland, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 22K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Dominson gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 20K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rough broken land | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadville sandy loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tigiwon-Turret cobbly sandy loams, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pierian soils, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dominson gravelly sandy loam, 9 to 45 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Isabel stony sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 5K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Cotopaxi loamy sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Granile gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pierian gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Newfork gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bross gravelly sandy loam, 9 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Elmo gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pando gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Marsh | 3K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 71% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.