Bitterroot National Forest Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Klutch, on about 7% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tolby and Leighcan come next.
About 84% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% 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 35% 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 Bitterroot 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Bitterroot 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 32K | 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 |
| Jeru family-Hargran family-Rubble land association, trough walls, extremely bouldery | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubycreek-Klutch-Lilylake families, complex, weakly glaciated mountain slopes and ridges | 17K | Well drained | B | 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 |
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 84% 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 87% 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.