Richland County, Montana
The most common soil here is Zahill, on about 13% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Lambert and Williams come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 44% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams-Vida loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 163K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lambert-Dimyaw complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahill loam, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Lambert complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 89K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lambert-Badland complex | 81K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Cambeth silt loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Cambeth-Cabbart silt loams, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Vida loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Vida loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vida-Zahill loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Williams loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cherry-Cambert silt loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shambo loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Shambo loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cherry, Havrelon, and Trembles soils, occasionally flooded | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinsley soils, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 25K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cherry-Cambert-Cabba silt loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplaquents | 20K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cherry silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | 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 44% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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.