South Idaho Forests, 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 South Idaho Forests, Idaho.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pachic Haplocryolls family-Pachic Haplocryolls family, low effective precipitation-Xeric Haplocryolls family-Typic Haplocryepts family complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 203K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Humicryepts-Pachic Haploxerolls-Typic Haplocryepts families complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 194K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Argixerolls and Pachic Haploxerolls soils, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 156K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts-Vitrandic Humicryepts families complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 111K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts family-Vitrandic Humicryepts family-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 93K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Humicryepts-Typic Haplocryepts families complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 91K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humixerepts family deep-Vitrandic Humixerepts family complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 89K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pachic Argicryolls and Typic Haplocryepts soils, 8 to 29 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts-Vitrandic Humicryepts-Typic Haplocryepts families complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pachic Argicryolls, Xeric Argicryolls, and Pachic Argicryolls, high effective precipitation soils, 10 to 29 percent slopes | 80K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplocryepts, Typic Haplocryolls, very stony surface, and Typic Haplocryepts, high effective precipitation soils, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts family-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, very stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplocryepts family, extremely bouldery surface-Typic Haplocryolls family, very bouldery surface, complex, 30 to 85 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble Land-Lithic Cryorthents family, very stony complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes | 65K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rubble land-Rock outcrop-Typic Haplocryolls family association, 45 to 85 percent slopes | 63K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Humic Vitricryands family-Vitric Fulvicryands family-Lithic Humicryepts family, very stony complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts-Vitrandic Cryorthents-Vitrandic Humicryepts families complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humic Vitricryands-Vitric Fulvicryands-Andic Humicryepts families complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pachic Haplocryolls, Pachic Argicryolls, and Lithic Haplocryolls, very bouldery surface soils, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humixerepts family, deep-Vitrandic Humixerepts family-Vitrandic Haploxerolls family complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 53K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 92% 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 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.