Flat Tops Area, Colorado, Parts of Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties
The most common soil here is Angostura, on about 4% of the land: a stony loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Cochetopa and Mulgon come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% 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 52% 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 Flat Tops Area, Colorado, Parts of Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Flat Tops Area, Colorado, Parts of Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamphier-Tampico, cool-Kamack loams, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Cryorthents complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 39K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heterwa-Targhee-Sapphire loams, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pineisle-Nimerick-Clinetop loams, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan-Duchesne-Heterwa complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Rock outcrop complex | 29K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dateman, cool-Sapphire-Secondset loams, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angostura-Peeler-Mulgon complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farlow-Dateman-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scout-Pineisle, warm-Mulgon complex, 5 to 65 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Causewa-Domo-Leighcan complex, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cochetopa-Adel-Hapgood loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cryorthents complex, 15 to 90 percent slopes | 16K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Farlow-Starley-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 15K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Mulgon-Leighcan-Angostura complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hapgood-Adel-Clayburn loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gateview loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nimerick-Clinetop-Rock outcrop, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peeler-Anvik, warm complex, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 12K | 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 94% 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 100% 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.