Blaine County Area, Idaho
The most common soil here is Vitale, on about 8% of the land: a very gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Povey and Elksel come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 96% 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: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 68% 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 Blaine County Area, Idaho, 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 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 Blaine County Area, Idaho. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friedman-Elksel-Winridge complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Povey-Vitale association, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitale-Povey association, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elksel-Friedman-Starhope complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elksel-Starhope-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitale-Blackspar complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ketchum-Povey complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gooding-Gooding, eroded-Hamrub complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitale-Milligan complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Starhope-Peevywell-Smelter loams, 4 to 30 percent | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moonstone-Earcree association, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| McCarey-Justesen-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elksel-Peevywell-Furshur complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Balaam-Adamson-Riverwash complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muldoon-Peevywell loams, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Earcree-Moonstone association, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Drage gravelly loam, cool, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mulshoe-Gaib-Winu complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Povey-Dollarhide complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mulshoe, very stony surface-Gaib, very stony surface-Rock outcrop complex, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | 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, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.