Paonia Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, and Montrose Counties
The most common soil here is Torriorthents, on about 7% of the land. Agua Fria and Delson come next.
About 87% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% 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 55% 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 Paonia Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, and Montrose 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 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 Paonia Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, and Montrose 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torriorthents-Rock outcrop, sandstone, complex | 54K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saraton-Agua Fria complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 35K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop | 26K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Utaline-Torriorthents complex | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delson very stony loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kech-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chinatown, extremely stony-Beenom, very stony-Detra complex,5 to 20 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delson stony loam, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cochetopa stony loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kech-Progresso loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents-Rock outcrop, shale, complex | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lazear-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beenom, very stony-Duffson-Detra complex, 10 to 45 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Agua Fria stony loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Agua Fria clay loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fughes-Fughes, cool-Fughes, very stony, cool complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cortyzack-Redtail complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chipeta silty clay, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midway-Gaynor silty clay loams, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | 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 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.