Billings County, North Dakota
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 91% 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 85% 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.