Conejos County Area, Colorado
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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.
| 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 |
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.