Fort Hall Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock, Bingham, Caribou, and Power Counties
The most common soil here is Neeley, on about 9% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Rexburg and Pocatello come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 56% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 38% 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 13% 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 Fort Hall Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock, Bingham, Caribou, 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Fort Hall Area, Idaho, Parts of Bannock, Bingham, Caribou, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neeley silt loam, rolling | 48K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rexburg silt loam, rolling | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 27K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pocatello silt loam, rolling | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wheeler silt loam, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quincy sand, undulating | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lanoak silt loam, hilly | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Highams very gravelly loam, steep | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Feltham loamy sand, undulating | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portneuf silt loam, undulating | 10K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rexburg silt loam, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Snake-Snake high water table-Paawaiyunuyade rarely flooded complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paniogue loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wahtigup very cobbly loam, steep | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ridgecrest-Hymas very cobbly loams, steep | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wahtigup very cobbly loam, hilly | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parehat rarely flooded-Snake-Tickason complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nagitsy gravelly loam, hilly | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penoyer silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Neeley silt loam, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 38% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 56% 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.