Salmon National Forest, Idaho
The most common soil here is Enentah family, on about 9% of the land. Howcan family and Zeebar family come next.
About 97% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 11% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 96% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 43K | 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 | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Argiustolls family, stony surface-Ustic Calciargids family, rubbly surface, complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 22K | 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 |
| Threedot family-Staberg family-Xeric Argicryolls family, stony surface, complex, 4 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foureyes family, very stony surface-Dailybasin family, extremely stony surface-Nikat family, very stony surface, complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 14K | 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 96% 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.