Soil survey area

Weld County, Colorado, Northern Part

Survey Area CO617• Colorado
The short version

The most common soil here is Ascalon, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Olney and Platner come next.

About 98% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 35% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 8% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Weld County, Colorado, Northern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Ascalon
17% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Mollisols
Olney
11% of the area
Loamy sand topsoil · well drained
Gritty and loose. Water runs straight through it.
Aridisols
Platner
6% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Renohill
6% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Aridisols
Nunn
4% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Kim
3% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Entisols

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 Weld County, Colorado, Northern Part. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Ascalon fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 198K Well drainedBNot limitedNot limited
Olney fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 139K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Platner loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 105K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Ascalon sandy loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes 66K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Kim-Mitchell complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes 64K Well drainedCNot limitedNot limited
Nunn loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 49K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Olney fine sandy loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes 48K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Renohill-Shingle complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes 46K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Altvan fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 42K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Renohill fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 39K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Epping silt loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes 37K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Haverson loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 35K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Renohill fine sandy loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes 29K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Peetz gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes 25K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Terry sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes 24K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Avar fine sandy loam 23K Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Nunn clay loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 23K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Kim-Mitchell complex, 6 to 9 percent slopes 22K Well drainedCNot limitedNot limited
Stoneham fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes 21K Well drainedBNot limitedNot limited
Cascajo gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes 20K Excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery 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.

Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Aridisols
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

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 35% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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