Red Rock Lakes Area - Part of Beaverhead County, Montana
The most common soil here is Maciver, on about 8% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Rooset and Philipsburg come next.
About 75% of the land drains well, and 21% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 21% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and 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 Red Rock Lakes Area - Part of Beaverhead 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 Red Rock Lakes Area - Part of Beaverhead 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratiopeak, very stony-Rooset, stony complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Regulus, frequently ponded-Sandrift complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maciver, stony-Rooset-Tibson, very stony complex, 8 to 45 percent slopes, landslides | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hellroaring-Narrows-Littletable complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tepete-Tepete, frequently ponded-Water complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sebud-Houlihan complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Beancreek-Philipsburg complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rooset-Maciver, very stony complex, 8 to 50 percent slopes, landslides | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maciver, stony-Tibson, very stony-Philipsburg complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rooset-Maciver, stony-Bridger complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maciver, very stony-Philipsburg-Tibson, very stony complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rooset-Maciver, stony complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sebud-Bullrey-Houlihan complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodtick-Jackrabbit-Sandrift, frequently ponded complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Woodtick-Jackrabbit-Beancreek complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Philipsburg-Yacreek complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bridger-Rooset complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rooset-Maciver, stony complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bridger-Rooset, stony-Ratiopeak, stony complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | 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 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.