Golden Valley County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Lonna, on about 9% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cabbart and Golva come next.
About 84% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 74% 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: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 76% 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 Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley 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 | 86K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonna-Cabbart silt loams, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Badland-Patent complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 55K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Chama-Sen-Cabba silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chama-Cabba-Sen silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Golva silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lonna-Kirby-Cabbart complex, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Golva silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Beisigl-Flasher-Telfer loamy fine sands, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama silt loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhame-Fleak complex, 9 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glendive-Havre-Fluvaquents complex, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cherry-Cabba silt loams, 9 to 45 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabbart-Cambeth silt loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Belfield-Wyola-Daglum complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama silt loams, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gerda-Maltese complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Belfield-Grail-Arnegard complex, saline, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cambeth-Cabbart silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cherry silt loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 74% 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.