Dunn County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Vebar, on about 6% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cabba and Amor come next.
About 82% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 63% 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 Dunn 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 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 Dunn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badland-Arikara-Cabbart complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 120K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama-Shambo loams, 9 to 50 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhoades-Daglum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 62K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Flasher-Vebar-Parshall complex, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Tally fine sandy loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 47K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Vebar-Cohagen fine sandy loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Parshall fine sandy loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Amor-Cabba loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Bowbells loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Korchea-Fluvaquents complex, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sen-Janesburg silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chama-Cabba-Sen silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Straw loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhame-Fleak complex, 9 to 50 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabbart-Kremlin-Boxwell loams, 9 to 40 percent slopes, slumped | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moreau-Barkof silty clays, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amor-Shambo loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Regent-Janesburg complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Harriet loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 18K | Poorly drained | D | 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 58% 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 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.