Saguache County Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Hooper, on about 5% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. San Luis and Cotopaxi come next.
About 67% of the land drains well, and 20% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 49% 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 21% 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 Saguache County Area, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Saguache County Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotopaxi sand, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 41K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| San Luis sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laney loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bushvalley-Gelkie-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 65 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hooper clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Comodore-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 65 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seitz very stony loam, warm, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Travelers-Garita complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garita gravelly loam, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hagga loam, dry | 22K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hapney clay loam | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tolman, dry-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 65 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duneland | 20K | A | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Space City loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hooper loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Travelers very stony loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mount Home-Saguache complex, 2 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kerber loamy sand | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mosca loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Luhon loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not 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 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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.