Washington County, Colorado
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Washington County, Colorado.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weld silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 272K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 176K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 140K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Colby-Norka loams, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent sand, rolling | 100K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rago silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Norka-Colby loams, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Haxtun loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Colby loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wages-Ascalon loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sampson loam | 33K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Keith-Kuma complex | 29K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Haxtun sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Razor-Heldt complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Table Mountain loam | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wages-Ascalon loams, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Osgood-Valent complex | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Julesburg loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 34% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.