Ridgway Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, and Ouray Counties
The most common soil here is Cerro, on about 9% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Mesa and Montrose come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 50% 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 Ridgway Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, and Ouray 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 Ridgway Area, Colorado, Parts of Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, and Ouray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabrab-Evpark-Parkelei complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barx-Lazear, very flaggy-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Montrose silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lazear, extremely flaggy-Rock outcrop-Wellsbasin, extremely stony complex, 20 to 75 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cerro, very stony-Curecanti, extremely stony complex, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mesa clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cerro-Swansonlake complex, 1 to 45 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barboncito-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cerro-Curecanti, extremely stony complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beachcanyon, extremely bouldery-Gothic-Woodhall, rubbly complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsbasin, extremely stony-Signalhill, very stony complex, 3 to 65 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gothic loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Persayo loam, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Not limited |
| Walknolls-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beje, extremely stony-Shermap-Moento complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cerro, extremely stony-Shermap-Curecanti complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Persayo-Fruita complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Frisco, very stony-Rock outcrop-Silverjack complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barboncito, extremely flaggy-Samala-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wellsbasin-Xeribrush complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 12K | 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 73% 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 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.