Billings County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Patent, on about 9% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Cabbart and Lonna come next.
About 81% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 75% 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 Billings County, North Dakota, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Billings County, North Dakota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patent-Badland-Cabbart complex, 6 to 50 percent slopes | 106K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Janesburg-Dogtooth complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Arikara-Cabbart complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Kirby-Cabbart complex, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daglum-Rhoades complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lonna-Cabbart silt loams, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Badland-Patent complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 22K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Dogtooth-Janesburg complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhame-Fleak complex, 9 to 50 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boxwell-Cabbart-Arikara complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Cabbart complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 16K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Vebar-Flasher-Tally complex, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sen-Janesburg silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Patent, occasionally flooded-Vanda-Gerda, barren complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhoades-Daglum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dogtooth-Janesburg-Cabba complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Parshall fine sandy loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Glendive-Havre-Fluvaquents complex, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirby-Badland-Patent complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sen-Janesburg silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 11K | 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 77% 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 86% 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.