Golden Valley County Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Cabbart, on about 13% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Crago and Delpoint come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% 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 65% 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 Golden Valley County 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Golden Valley County 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbart-Delpoint loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Megonot-Yawdim silty clay loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crago-Musselshell cobbly loams, 1 to 4 percent slopes, fan | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rentsac-Cabbart complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabbart-Yawdim-Badland complex, 4 to 35 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crago-Musselshell complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, fan | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crago cobbly loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blacksheep, dry-Cabbart, dry-Rock outcrop, complex, 8 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yawdim-Crago complex, 4 to 35 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rentsac fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crago-Musselshell-Attewan complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, fan | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Yawdim-Abor complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabbart-Delpoint, calcareous-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 45 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delpoint-Cabbart-Yamacall loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kobase silty clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kobase-Zatoville silty clay loams, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Twilight-Blacksheep sandy loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yamacall-Delpoint loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cabbart-Rentsac-Rock outcrop complex, 4 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Twilight-Blacksheep-Rock outcrop, complex, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Somewhat 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 65% 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 74% 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.