La Plata County Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Witt, on about 7% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Zyme and Arboles come next.
About 91% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 40% 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 La Plata County Area, Colorado, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 La Plata 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zyme-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 65 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Witt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Archuleta-Sanchez, stony, complex, 12 to 65 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arboles clay, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falfa clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dulce-Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 50 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zyme clay loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Ustollic Haplargids complex, 12 to 60 | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lazear-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 65 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 19K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Bodot clay, 3 to 10 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Valto-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 65 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sili clay loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pulpit loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lazear stony loam, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Durango cobbly loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Witt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Horsethief very stony fine sandy loam, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hesperus loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fortwingate-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | 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 72% 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 92% 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.