McKenzie County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Cabba, on about 8% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Zahl and Williams come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 59% 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 McKenzie 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 McKenzie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahl-Cabba-Maschetah complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 89K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Arikara-Cabbart complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 80K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dogtooth-Janesburg-Cabba complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Zahl loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 58K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cabba-Badland complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Williams-Zahl loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Daglum-Belfield complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Zahl-Williams loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Flasher-Vebar-Parshall complex, 9 to 35 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brandenburg-Cabba-Dogtooth complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama-Sen silt loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Boxwell-Cabbart-Arikara complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahl-Cabba-Arikara complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahl-Max loams, dissected, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cherry-Cabba silt loams, 9 to 45 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Patent-Badland-Cabbart complex, 6 to 50 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cabbart-Badland complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zahl-Cabba-Williams complex, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama-Havrelon, occasionally flooded complex, 2 to 70 percent slopes | 28K | 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 61% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.