Bonner County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bonner and Boundary Counties
The most common soil here is Pend Oreille, on about 11% of the land: a ashy silt loam, smooth, like flour. Bonner and Vay come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Bonner County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bonner and Boundary 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 Andisols — soils formed in volcanic ash, very light and porous. 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 Bonner County Area, Idaho, Parts of Bonner and Boundary 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pend Oreille silt loam, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 48K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Vay-Ardtoo association, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex | 32K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bonner silt loam, cool, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Prouty gravelly loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pend Oreille-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonner gravelly ashy silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Treble-Rock outcrop association, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Priestlake gravelly sandy loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hun gravelly silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lenz-Rock outcrop association, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mission silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeru gravelly sandy loam, warm, 35 to 75 percent slopes, extremely stony | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mission silt loam, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dufort-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeru gravelly loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes, extremely stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vay gravelly silt loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kootenai gravelly ashy silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vay silt loam, cool, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 10K | 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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.