Bannock County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock and Power Counties
The most common soil here is Ririe, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cedarhill and Camelback come next.
About 95% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 22% 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 Bannock County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock and Power 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 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 Bannock County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock and Power 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedarhill-Ririe-Watercanyon complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ririe-Watercanyon complex, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valmar-Camelback, deep-Hades complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rexburg silt loam, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ririe silt loam, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harkness-Sedgway-Mikesell complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ireland, extremely stony surface-Camelback-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Camelback-Cedarhill, high precipitation-Lanoak complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ririe-Watercanyon complex, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Camelback, very deep-Hades-Valmar complex 10 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moonlight-Camelback association, 30 to 60 percent slopes, MLRA 13 | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Downey-Arimo complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cedarhill, high precipitation-Hades-Ricrest complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valmar, low precipitation-Watercanyon-Hondoho complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hondoho-Arbone-Ririe complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sedgway-Beaverdam complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ririe silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ireland, extremely stony surface-Dateman-Pavohroo association, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hondoho-Arbone complex, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ririe-Watercanyon-Cedarhill complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | 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 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 76% 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.