Wibaux County, Montana
The most common soil here is Bainville, on about 14% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Chama and Golva come next.
About 82% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 73% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% 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 69% 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 Wibaux 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Wibaux 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bainville-Chama silt loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockland-Bainville complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 48K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chama silt loam, 4 to 7 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Golva silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Badland | 24K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chama-Bainville silt loams, 10 to 14 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Regent-Wyola silty clay loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Cabbart silt loams, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Golva silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bainville-Flasher complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bainville-Wibaux complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pierre-Lismas clays, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alluvial land | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midway-Moreau complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland, 9 to 150 percent slopes | 11K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Midway-Regent silty clay loams, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lismas clay-Shale outcrop, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Korell loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chama-Cabba-Sen silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Korchea-Fluvaquents complex, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly 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 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 73% 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.