Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County, North Dakota.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 61% 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 72% 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.