Roosevelt and Daniels Counties, Montana
The most common soil here is Zahill, on about 17% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Vida and Turner come next.
About 91% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 20% 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 9% 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 Roosevelt and Daniels Counties, 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Roosevelt and Daniels Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vida-Zahill loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 480K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Turner sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 161K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Vida loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 154K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Vida loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 148K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Farland-Cherry silt loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 108K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dooley sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 92K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Farnuf loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Turner-Beaverton complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Tinsley complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahill loam, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Cabba-Cambert complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Ustifluvents, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 52K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cabba-Cambert-Cherry silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Farland silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cherry silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Turner-Beaverton complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tally-Lihen sandy loams, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tally sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Cambert silt loams, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Cambert-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 30K | 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.