Cascade County Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Castner, on about 5% of the land: a channery sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hilger and Absarokee come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 49% 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 Cascade 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 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 Cascade 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castner-Perma-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cheadle-Hilger complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bitton and Roy soils, 10 to 65 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monad and Libeg soils, steep | 47K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hilger very stony loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hilger-Castner complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gerber silty clay loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Absarokee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Absarokee, Borky, and Blythe soils, 15 to 45 percent slo pes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Libeg stony loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Yawdim-Rentsac-Cabbart complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castner-Sinnigam complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Absher-Nobe complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Abor-Yawdim clays, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tanna clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Borky-Sinnigam very stony loams, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hanson-Sheege complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cheadle-Loggert complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ipano-Ticell loams, 4 to 10 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eltsac-Lisam clays, 10 to 70 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | 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 75% 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 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.