Bitterroot National Forest Area, Montana
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Bitterroot National Forest Area, Montana.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Roman family-Rubble land association, cirque headwalls and scoured basins | 61K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rubble land-Priestlake family-Rock outcrop association, trough walls and glaciated mountain ridges | 34K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Roman-Priestlake families-Rock outcrop association, weakly glaciated mountain slopes and ridges | 33K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeru family-Rubble land-Rock outcrop association, trough walls | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roman family-Rock outcrop-Rubble land association, trough walls | 29K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Priestlake family-Rubycreek family, complex, trough walls, extremely bouldery | 29K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roman-Priestlake-Lilylake families, complex, moraines | 29K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Totelake-Macmeal-Sharrott families, complex, dissected mountain slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kadygulch-Totelake families, complex, steep mountain slopes | 26K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land-Roman family, association, cirque headwalls and scoured basins | 26K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Shermount family-Rock outcrop-Roman family, association, cirque headwalls and basins | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Macmeal-Kadygulch-Tolman families, complex, dissected mountain slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kadygulch-Totelake-Sharrott families, complex, breaklands | 21K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilde family-Rock outcrop-Rubble land association, breaklands | 21K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roman family-Priestlake family-Jurvannah family frequently flooded, complex, trough bottoms, extremely bouldery | 20K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubycreek-Klutch-Lilylake families, complex, weakly glaciated mountain slopes and ridges | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeru family-Hargran family-Rubble land association, trough walls, extremely bouldery | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Poin family-Rubble land association, trough walls | 17K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Roman family-Shermount family, association, scoured cirque basins, extremely bouldery | 16K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Leighcan-Tolby-Shermount families, complex, breaklands, moist | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 73% 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 73% 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.