Taylor River Area, Colorado, Northeastern Part of Gunnison County
The most common soil here is Schofield, on about 5% of the land: a gravelly coarse sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tex and Peeler come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.
USDA rates 73% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% 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 44% 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 Taylor River Area, Colorado, Northeastern Part of Gunnison County, 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 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 Taylor River Area, Colorado, Northeastern Part of Gunnison County. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock land | 56K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rock outcrop | 37K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Schofield-Peeler gravelly sandy loams, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stecum stony sandy loam, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryaquolls and histosols | 22K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock slides | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ashcroft sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Limber gravelly loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schofield-Peeler very stony sandy loams, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mirror gravelly sandy loam, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tex very stony sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, cirque land | 11K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Leal gravelly loamy sand, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mayoworth loam, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tex gravelly sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sanford fine sandy loam, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Schofield-Peeler gravelly sandy loams, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lucky gravelly sandy loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilton sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dinnen sandy loam, 2 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | 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 70% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 73% 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.