South Idaho Forests, Idaho
The most common soil here is Vitrandic Humicryepts family, on about 15% of the land. Vitrandic Haploxerolls family and Typic Haplocryepts family come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 88% 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 49% 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 South Idaho Forests, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitrandic Haploxerolls family, stony-Typic Haploxerepts family, stony-Typic Xerorthents family complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 270K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pachic Haplocryolls family-Pachic Haplocryolls family, low effective precipitation-Xeric Haplocryolls family-Typic Haplocryepts family complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 204K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Humicryepts-Pachic Haploxerolls-Typic Haplocryepts families complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 196K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Argixerolls and Pachic Haploxerolls soils, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 157K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humicryepts family, moderately deep, stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, north aspects | 140K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humicryepts family, moderately deep, very stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, very stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 122K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humicryepts family, stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, moderately deep, stony-Andic Humicryepts family-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, sandy substratum complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes, north aspects | 114K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts-Vitrandic Humicryepts families complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 112K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Xerorthents family, moderately deep-Typic Haploxerepts family-Typic Xerorthents family, shallow complex, stony, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 103K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Haplocryepts family, warm-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, warm-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 94K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Humicryepts-Typic Haplocryepts families complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 92K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humixerepts family deep-Vitrandic Humixerepts family complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 90K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pachic Argicryolls and Typic Haplocryepts soils, 8 to 29 percent slopes | 85K | 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 | 81K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vitrandic Humicryepts family, stony-Andic Humicryepts family, stony-Vitrandic Humicryepts family, moderately deep complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, south aspects | 77K | Well drained | B | 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 | 66K | D | Not rated | Not rated |
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 88% 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 95% 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.