Cortez Area, Colorado, Parts of Dolores and Montezuma Counties

Survey Area CO671• 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 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 Cortez Area, Colorado, Parts of Dolores and Montezuma 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
Wetherill loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes	95K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Romberg, extremely stony-Crosscan, very bouldery-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes	75K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gladel-Pulpit complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes	59K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Romberg-Crosscan complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes, very stony	46K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wauquie-Dolcan-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes	26K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cahona-Sharps-Wetherill complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Typic Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 80 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sharps-Pulpit complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sheek-Archuleta-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wetherill loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sharps-Cahona complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Wetherill loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rizno-Gapmesa complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sheek-Archuleta-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes, north aspect	14K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Granath loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Claysprings very stony clay loam, 12 to 65 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sideshow silty clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Wauquie, Stony-Dolcan complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cahona-Pulpit complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Zigzag-Sideshow complex, 10 to 55 percent slopes	9K	Well 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.

Mollisols

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

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 60% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 81% 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.