Deer Lodge National Forest Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Garlet, on about 6% of the land: a stony loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Evaro and Ovando come next.
About 91% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 44% 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 Deer Lodge 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 Deer Lodge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlet-Worock-Waldbillig families, complex, moderately steep young moraines, cool | 65K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windyridge-Como-Hiore families, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 62K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Evaro-Holloway-Elvick families, complex, high relief mountain slopes and ridges | 32K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holloway-Evaro-Bata families, complex, steep ridges and mountain slopes | 31K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kurrie-Goldflint-Warwood families, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Como-Windyridge-Hiore families, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovando-Littlesalmon-Bata families, complex, steep glaciated mountain slopes and ridges | 28K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldflint family-Rock outcrop-Ovando family, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 26K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rubble land-Rock outcrop-Crawfish family, complex, cirque headwalls | 26K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Sig-Jeru families, complex, moderately steep trough bottoms | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldbillig-Bata families-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep trough bottoms | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windyridge-Como-Caseypeak families, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Evaro family-Rubble land complex, high relief mountain slopes and ridges | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ambrant-Rochester families, complex, low relief mountain slopes and ridges | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovando-Blackleed-Petty families, complex, moderately steep young moraines | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klutch family-Rock outcrop-Sig family, complex, very steep trough walls | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ovando family-Rubble land-Leighcan family, complex, steep ridges and mountain slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Cowood families-Rock outcrop complex, very steep trough walls, moist | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlet-Cowood-Elvick families, complex, steep glaciated mountain slopes and ridges | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klutch, noncalcareous-Waldbillig, noncalcareous families-Rubble land complex, steep ridges and mountain slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively 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 94% 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 96% 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.