Lincoln County, Colorado
The most common soil here is Weld, on about 7% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Valent and Vonid come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 52% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 23% 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 11% 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 Lincoln County, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Lincoln County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weld silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 120K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arvada clay loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Not limited |
| Fort loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valent loamy sand, 1 to 15 percent slopes, warm | 55K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Colby-Weld silt loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Manzanst clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wiley silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Midway-Razor clay loams, moist, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Platner-Ascalon complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fort Collins-Platner loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent-Bijou loamy sands, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 39K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Manzanola clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 37K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bankard-Glenberg complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, moist, occasionally flooded | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olney sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Vonid sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 33K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Bacid silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Razor clay loam, moist, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilid silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 23% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 52% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.