Cochetopa Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Saguache Counties
The most common soil here is Goosepeak, on about 17% of the land: a extremely gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Seitz and Tellura come next.
About 88% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 98% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 50% 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 Cochetopa Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Saguache 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 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 Cochetopa Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Saguache 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goosepeak, cool-Seitz complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goosepeak-Snowdon, dry-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ohman-Perfecto complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tellura, moist-Quander complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Perfecto-Ohman-Legault complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, very bouldery | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop and Rubble land | 17K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Moran, extremely stony-Telluride, extremely stony-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quander, cool-Bushpark-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seitz gravelly sandy clay loam, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Storm family very cobbly sandy clay loam, 10 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goosepeak, cool-Snowdon complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan-Rubble land complex, 25 to 120 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryolls-Cryaquolls association, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tellura very gravelly clay loam, dry, 15 to 65 percent slopes, very bouldery | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Telluride association, 40 to 120 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Moran cobbly loam, moist, 5 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 10K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seitz-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goosepeak-Perfecto, warm complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quander very gravelly loam, dry, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | 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 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% 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.