Ouray Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties
The most common soil here is Needleton, on about 10% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Scout family and Cryorthents come next.
About 85% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 93% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 51% 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 Ouray Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Ouray Area, Colorado, Parts of Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubble land | 50K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 45K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Needleton-Snowdon complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 41K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 120 percent slopes, extremely stony | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scout family, 10 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Baird Hollow-Lizardhead complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moran, extremely stony-Telluride, extremely stony-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryorthents-Rubble land complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Needleton very stony silt loam, 20 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Needleton-Scout family-Owlcreek complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mountpoor-Lizardhead-Yankeeboy complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Telluride association, 40 to 120 percent slopes, extremely stony | 14K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Borolls-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 90 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitecross-Rock outcrop complex, 45 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cryoboralfs complex, 45 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony | 12K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Whitecross, very stony-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seitz-Needleton complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Needleton-Scout family complex, 40 to 65 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snowdon-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quazar, cool-Varden complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | 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 93% 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 95% 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.