Rosebud County Area and Part of Big Horn County, Montana
The most common soil here is Yamacall, on about 7% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Cabbart and Delpoint come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 71% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% 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 55% 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 Rosebud County Area and Part of Big Horn 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 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 Rosebud County Area and Part of Big Horn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delpoint-Yamacall-Cabbart loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 205K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 88K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cabbart-Rock outcrop-Yawdim complex, warm, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yamacall loam, warm, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Delpoint-Cabbart-Yawdim complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yamac-Delpoint loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cambeth-Cabbart silt loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Birney, moist-Armells-Cabbart complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Cambeth silt loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Busby-Twilight-Blacksheep fine sandy loams, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neldore silty clay, warm, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Borollic Camborthids-Ustic Torrifluvents complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 51K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cambeth-Cabbart complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes, dissected | 49K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Havre, Harlake, and Glendive soils, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bitton, moist-Lamedeer, dry-Ringling, dry, channery loams, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yamac-Cabbart loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Neldore-Arsite-Neldore, saline, complex, 2 to 25 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents, moderately saline, 0 to 70 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Armells-Kirby-Cabbart complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes, stony | 38K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sumatra silty clay loam, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 37K | 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 55% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 71% 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.