Conejos County Area, Colorado

Survey Area CO630• Colorado

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Conejos County 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
Travelers very stony loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes	88K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Garita cobbly loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes	58K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Graypoint gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	29K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Travelers very stony loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Quamon-LaJara complex	21K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Seitz very stony loam, 10 to 65 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Empedrado-Curecanti complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
LaJara loam	16K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Graypoint gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bushvalley-Youga complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
San Arcacio sandy loam	12K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Cumbres very stony loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
San Arcacio sandy loam, saline	9K	Poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mogote loam	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Garita cobbly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
McGinty sandy loam, fan, 1 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
LaSauses sandy clay loam	9K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Derrick very cobbly sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Luhon loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Platoro loam	7K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat 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.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 79% 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.