Soil survey area

Logan County, Colorado

Survey Area CO075• Colorado
The short version

The most common soil here is Valent, on about 9% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Platner and Rago come next.

About 91% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.

USDA rates 56% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 19% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Logan County, Colorado, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Valent
9% of the area
Sand topsoil · excessively drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Entisols
Platner
8% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Rago
6% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Mollisols
Wages
6% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Dailey
4% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Mollisols
Ascalon
4% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Mollisols

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 Logan County, Colorado. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Valent loamy sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes 108K Excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Rago loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 76K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 55K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Dailey loamy sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes 37K Somewhat excessively drainedANot limitedVery limited
Weld loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 33K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Satanta loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 27K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Platner-Rago-Dacono loams 26K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Haxtun loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 25K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Platner loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 24K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Nunn loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 22K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Mitchell loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 22K Well drainedANot limitedNot limited
Rosebud-Escabosa loams, 3 to 5 percent slopes 21K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Stoneham-Cushman complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes 21K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Wages loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 20K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Valent sand, hilly 19K Excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Mitchell-Keota loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes 19K Well drainedANot limitedNot limited
Dix-Eckley complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes 19K Somewhat excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Wages loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 18K Well drainedCNot limitedNot limited
Dix-Altvan complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes 17K Excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Ascalon sandy loam, sandy substratum, 3 to 5 percent slopes 15K Well drainedBNot limitedNot 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.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.

Septic Systems

About 56% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

📍