Big Hole Area - Part of Beaverhead County, Montana
The most common soil here is Wisdom, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Libeg and Mooseflat come next.
About 79% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 21% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 39% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Big Hole Area - Part of Beaverhead County, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Big Hole Area - Part of Beaverhead County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisdom-Shewag-Mooseflat complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wisdom-Shewag complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Foxgulch, rarely flooded-Mooseflat, occasionally flooded-Copperbasin, rarely flooded complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hairpin-Libeg, stony-Monad, stony complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wisdom-Bighole complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Foxgulch-Copperbasin-Wisdom complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philipsburg-Mussigbrod complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hairpin silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Briston-Mussigbrod complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wisdom-Proposal complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Philipsburg silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tepete-Dunkleber-Mooseflat complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mooseflat-Eachuston-Copperbasin complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cowcamp-Proposal complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Libeg-Tiban, stony complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beaverslide-Cowcamp complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cowcamp-Maybee complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Beaverslide silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Donald loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 39% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.