Prowers County, Colorado
The most common soil here is Wiley, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Colby and Baca come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 65% 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: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 6% 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 Prowers 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Prowers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wiley silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 199K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Baca silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 80K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wilid silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Colby silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rocky Ford clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Richfield silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Colby silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent sand, 1 to 9 percent slopes, warm | 27K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rocky Ford clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wiley silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ulysses silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Cascajo sandy loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vona sandy loam, warm, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Fort Collins loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lincoln sand | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valent soils, 1 to 25 percent slopes, severley eroded, warm | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manvel silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fort Collins loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Campo clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | 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 65% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.