Missoula County Area, Montana
The most common soil here is Winkler, on about 15% of the land: a very gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Holloway and Waldbillig come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Missoula 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 Somewhat excessively 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 Missoula 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winkler-Kadygulch family, complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 96K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winkler very gravelly sandy loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 86K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holloway gravelly ashy silt loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 58K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldbillig-Holloway gravelly ashy silt loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldbillig gravelly silt loam, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mitten-Tevis complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 35K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tevis gravelly loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waldbillig-Holloway gravelly ashy silt loams, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Felan gravelly ashy silt loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Repp very gravelly loam, cool, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holloway-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 80 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jimlake gravelly silt loam, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bignell gravelly loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bigarm gravelly loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Repp very gravelly loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollandlake-Bata complex, 4 to 30 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winkler gravelly loam, cool, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Petty gravelly loam, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex | 17K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Waldbillig-Holloway gravelly ashy silt loams, cool, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 15K | 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 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.