Beaverhead National Forest Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Como, on about 10% of the land: a very gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Garlet and Whitore come next.
About 94% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% 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 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 Beaverhead National Forest Area, Montana, 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Beaverhead National Forest Area, Montana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldbillig-Bata-Upsata families, complex, glacial moraines | 59K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como-Petty families, complex, moderately steep mountain slopes | 51K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Worock-Como families, complex, moderately steep mountain slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como-Comad-Garlet families, complex, moderately steep mountain slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Upsata-Bata-Petty families, complex, glacial moraines | 32K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Worock-Como families, complex, gentle mountain slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Petty-Garlet families, complex, valley trough walls | 31K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tiban-Raynesford-Woodhurst families, complex, gentle mountain slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Littlesalmon-Como families-Rock outcrop complex, valley trough walls | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Holloway-Bata families, complex, moderately steep mountain slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como-Leighcan families-Rock outcrop complex, cirque basins | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Adel-Garlet-Yellowmule families, complex, landslide deposits | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldbillig-Bata-Lowder, frequently flooded families, complex, cirque basins | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Como-Elkner-Lowder, frequently flooded families, complex, glacial moraines | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Como families-Rock outcrop complex, steep mountain slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Roman family-Rubble land association, cirque headwalls and scoured basins | 20K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Elkner-Como families-Rock outcrop complex, recessional moraines | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Upsata-Bata-Lowder, frequently flooded families, complex, cirque basins | 20K | Excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rubble land-Rock outcrop-Crawfish family, complex, cirque headwalls | 18K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bata-Petty-Worock families, complex, alluvial fans | 18K | Well drained | C | 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 70% 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 93% 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.