Sheridan County, Montana
The most common soil here is Williams, on about 26% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Zahill and Vida come next.
About 94% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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 loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 209K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vida-Zahill loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 172K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Zahill loam, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Zahill loams, undulating | 88K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Zahill-Williams complex, hilly | 82K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lambert-Zahill complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 30K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Zahill-Vida loams, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dooley fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manning coarse sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Havrelon silt loam | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blanchard fine sand, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Turner loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Vida loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lambert-Shale outcrop complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabek gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farnuf loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lihen loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dooley fine sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Farnuf loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.