Weld County, Colorado, Southern Part
The most common soil here is Valent, on about 17% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Vona and Olney come next.
About 92% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 6% of it.
USDA rates 40% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 11% 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 4% 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 Weld County, Colorado, Southern Part, 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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, Southern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valent sand, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 177K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vona loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Valent sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 65K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Weld loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Olney fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Osgood sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum | 33K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Otero sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Vona loamy sand, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wiley-Colby complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colby-Adena loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded | 21K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Nunn clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Altvan loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Olney loamy sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vona loamy sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Colby loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 40% 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.