Summit County Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Frisco, on about 17% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Grenadier and Peeler come next.
About 80% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Summit 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Summit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frisco-Peeler complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenadier gravelly loam, 15 to 55 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cryoborolls complex | 10K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Frisco-Peeler complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Anvik loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quander cobbly loam, 15 to 55 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yovimpa clay loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cumulic Cryaquolls, frequently flooded, nearly level | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bucklon loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Handran gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cimarron loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grenadier gravelly loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Muggins sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cimarron loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Youga loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histic Cryaquolls, nearly level | 2K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leadville gravelly loam, 15 to 55 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Youga loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Quander cobbly loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 67% 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 84% 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.