Mesa County Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Persayo, on about 4% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Killpack and Gladel come next.
About 83% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 77% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% 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 64% 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 Mesa 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Mesa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladel-Bond-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Killpack-Badland-Persayo complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | Not rated | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop-Biedsaw complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, extremely bouldery | 53K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Sedgran complex, 40 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 50K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Killpack-Persayo complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 41K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Badland-Deaver-Chipeta complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Veatch-Rock outcrop-Bookcliff complex, 25 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zyme-Bodot-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hagerman-Mellenthin, very stony-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jemez, dry-Maudlin complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clayburn-Jerry, moist-Bachus complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zyme, very stony-Rock outcrop-Gladel complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagers silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arches-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Calicott-Brussett complex, moist, 25 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 18K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Monogram very fine sandy loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mathis-Badland-Gravier complex, 12 to 50 percent slopes, extremely stony | 17K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Berto-Roygorge, extremely stony-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Progresso-Mellenthin, stony complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 17K | 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 55% 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 77% 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.