Routt National Forest Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand, Jackson, Moffat, and Routt Counties
The most common soil here is Leighcan, on about 12% of the land: a very stony sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Legault and Agneston come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 15% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 34% 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 Routt National Forest Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand, Jackson, Moffat, and Routt 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Routt National Forest Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand, Jackson, Moffat, and Routt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leighcan-Bobtail complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 44K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Legault-Agneston families, association, 10 to 40 percent slopes, extremely stony | 40K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan very stony sandy loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 39K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Redyon, extremely stony complex, 40 to 80 percent slopes | 37K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Agneston-Legault families, association, 10 to 40 percent slopes, extremely stony | 35K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Finn and Tepete families, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 35K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leaps-Rhone families, complex, 10 to 35 percent slopes, landslides | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan-Lake Janee family-Bigtimber family complex, 1 to 30 percent slopes, very stony | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frisco family, very stony-Finn family, very stony-Water complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Northwater loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broad Canyon very gravelly loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan, extremely stony-Water complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bupas, extremely stony-Endlich, extremely stony-Tepete family complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenadier taxadjunct, very bouldery-Rock outcrop-Tepete family complex, 0 to 50% slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gateview family gravelly sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovando very stony loamy sand, 15 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waybe family-Gothic association, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como-Agneston family-Legault family association, 30 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenadier taxadjunct cobbly loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Horsethief-Uinta families, complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 14K | 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 85% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.