Big Horn County Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Midway, on about 8% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Thedalund and Lismas come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 64% 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 Horn County 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Horn County 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midway-Thedalund complex, hilly | 122K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doney-Wayden complex, hilly | 81K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doney-Ringling complex, hilly | 63K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pierre-Lismas clays, hilly | 55K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thedalund-Rock outcrop complex, hilly | 53K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thedalund-Wibaux stony loams, hilly | 47K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thurlow-Midway silty clay loams | 47K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Doney-Reeder loams, rolling | 45K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lismas-Shale outcrop complex, steep | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norbert-Eltsac clays, hilly | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midway silty clay loam, hilly | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hanson-Babb association, very steep | 39K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thedalund-Midway complex, rolling | 38K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Thedalund-Fort Collins complex, rolling | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lismas gravelly clay, hilly | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midway-Thedalund complex, rolling | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Windham complex, very steep | 34K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Lismas-Shale outcrop complex, rolling | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lap-Armington association, rolling | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Korchea and Frazer soils, water table | 30K | Moderately 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 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.