Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Idaho and Nevada
The most common soil here is Wickahoney, on about 8% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Deunah and Thacker come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 92% 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: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 65% 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 Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Idaho and Nevada, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Idaho and Nevada. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickahoney-Wagonbox complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hapgood-Littlemud-Dehana association | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haploxeralfs-Durixeralfs-Rubble land complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deunah silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavanaugh-Sattley association, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Deunah complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | A | Not limited | Not limited | |
| Soonahbe-Thacker, dry complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yatahoney-Blackleg complex, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bulake-Deunah complex, 2 to 25 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavanaugh-Obray association, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotant-Tusel-Hackwood association | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkay-Wickahoney-Boulder Lake complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crooked Creek-Bear Lake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thacker-Soonahbe complex, 4 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Petan-Deunah-Hatpeak complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zola loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Soonahbe variant-Bulake complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burmah variant-Torney variant-Yatahoney complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moonstone-Earcree association, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wickahoney-Blackleg association, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | 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 92% 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.