Salmon National Forest, Idaho
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Salmon National Forest, Idaho.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeebar family, very stony surface-Howcan family, extremely stony surface-Kegsprings family, extremely stony surface, complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 131K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enentah family, rubbly surface-Dailybasin family-Marcel family, complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 117K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wagontown family, rubbly surface-Lithic Xerorthents, very rubbly surface-Foxol family, rubbly surface, complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes | 99K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shakespeare family, extremely stony surface-Worock family-Ketchum family, very stony surface, complex, 10 to 65 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Howcan family, extremely stony surface-Foxol family, rubbly surface-Beehunt family, stony surface, complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes | 94K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enentah family, extremely stony surface-Parkay family, very stony surface-Koffgo family, stony surface, complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes | 87K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts, stony surface-Leighcan family, extremely stony surface-Altyn family, very stony surface, complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Haplocryalfs family, extremely stony surface-Worock family-Ustic Haplocryepts family, very stony surface, complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Middlehill family, very stony surface-Lostbasin family, rubbly surface-Kyway family, stony surface, complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como family, very rubbly surface-Cuberant family, very rubbly surface-Rubble land complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Argicryolls family, very stony surface-Typic Argiustolls family, extremely stony surface-Kegsprings family, extremely stony surface, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enentah family, extremely stony surface-Leighcan family, extremely bouldery surface-Como family, complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ezbin family, extremely stony surface-Enentah family, rubbly surface-Charcoal family, very stony surface, complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Rock outcrop-Kaina family, extremely stony surface, complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 29K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Ketchum family, very stony surface-Klug family, very stony surface-Como family, complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Argiustolls family, stony surface-Ustic Calciargids family, rubbly surface, complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Worock-Spearhead-Enentah, families, complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony surface | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Howcan family-Cloudless family, complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broad Canyon family-Libeg family, very stony surface, complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Threedot family-Staberg family-Xeric Argicryolls family, stony surface, complex, 4 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.