Willow Creek Pass Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand and Jackson Counties
The most common soil here is Frisco, on about 18% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Fulvance and Lakehelen come next.
About 96% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 32% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 56% 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 Willow Creek Pass Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand and Jackson Counties, 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Willow Creek Pass Area, Colorado, Parts of Grand and Jackson Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulvance-Lakehelen complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frisco, very stony-Tepete families, complex, 0 to 40 percent slopes, landslides | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frisco family very cobbly loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes, very stony | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peedee-Dorpat family complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Leaps family-Bonneville, very stony-Haydenfork family complex, 1 to 40 percent slopes, landslides | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arcette, family-Targhee family- Rubble land complex, 45 to 75% slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Targhee-Storm families complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Storm, very stony-Targhee families, complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frisco family, very stony-Finn family, very stony-Water complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bushvalley, very stony-Woodhall families, complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Libeg-Youga-Bywell families, association, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lonniebee-Tamarron family-Graysill family complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bupas, extremely stony-Endlich, extremely stony-Tepete family complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leighcan, very stony-Finn families, complex, 1 to 60% slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex | 4K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Leighcan very stony sandy loam, 40 to 65 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollandlake-Poia families, complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Finn and Tepete families, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mirror gravelly loam, 7 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Redyon, extremely stony-Rubble land complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | 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 83% 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 97% 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.