Flathead County Area and Part of Lincoln County, Montana
The most common soil here is Courville, on about 7% of the land: a gravelly ashy silt loam, smooth, like flour. Pleasantvalley and Kingspoint come next.
About 81% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 Flathead County Area and Part of Lincoln County, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Flathead County Area and Part of Lincoln County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 36K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pleasantvalley-Winfall, dry complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kingspoint-Rock outcrop-Sharrott complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Courville-Pleasantvalley complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockhill-Rock outcrop-Pleasantvalley complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockhill-Rock outcrop-Courville complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharrott-Rock outcrop-Winkler complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Half Moon, cool-Lynchlake complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rumblecreek-Courville complex, dry, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pleasantvalley-Winfall, dry-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mitten gravelly ashy silt loam, dry, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Combest gravelly ashy silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| McMannamy gravelly silt loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mitten gravelly ashy silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glaciercreek gravelly ashy silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Courville-Stevie-Winfall complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foyslake gravelly silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wimper-Rock outcrop-Castner complex 15 to 50 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| McLangor-Barzee mucky peats, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foyslake gravelly silt loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 4K | 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 70% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 81% 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.