Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera County, Montana
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera County, Montana.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pishkun-Adel association, steep | 65K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairfield and Terrace escarpments soils | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williams complex, hilly | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wet land | 48K | Poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Williams cobbly loam, undulating | 48K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Babb-Hanson complex, hilly | 45K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leavitt complex, hilly | 42K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairfield gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Scobey-Kevin loams, undulating | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Saline land | 32K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Vida-Williams, Zahill-high precipitation loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fairfield gravelly loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fairfield gravelly loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Absher complex | 24K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabba loam, hilly | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wayden clay loam, hilly | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leavitt complex, undulating | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Farnuf cobbly loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Burnette stony loam, hilly | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pendroy clay, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.