Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera County, Montana

Survey Area MT600• Montana

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera 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
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

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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

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.