Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera County, Montana
The most common soil here is Fairfield, on about 7% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Williams and Leavitt come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 51% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 18% 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 Glacier County Area and Part of Pondera 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 51% 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 89% 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.