Phillips County, Colorado
The most common soil here is Rago, on about 26% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Platner and Haxtun come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 13% 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 2% 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 Phillips 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 Phillips 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rago and Kuma loams | 179K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent fine sand, rolling | 39K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haxtun loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Richfield loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Haxtun sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Platner loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wages-Eckley-Dix complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wages-Campus-Weld loams, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Haxtun loamy sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Valent fine sand, hilly | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Julesburg loamy sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Pleasant loam | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Julesburg loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Dawes loam | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wages-Campus-Weld loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chappell and Dix sandy loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Intermittent Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Richfield loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Anselmo loamy fine sand, marly substratum variant, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.