Slope County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Sen, on about 5% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Patent and Cabbart come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 57% 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 Slope 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 Slope 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 | 65K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chama-Cabba-Sen silt loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Cabbart complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 23K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Lonna-Kirby-Cabbart complex, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belfield-Daglum-Farland silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vebar-Parshall fine sandy loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cabba-Chama silt loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhoades-Daglum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Brandenburg-Cabba complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daglum-Rhoades complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cabbart-Cambeth silt loams, 9 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chama-Sen-Cabba silt loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sen silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Patent, gullied, frequently flooded-Sham-Patent complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grassna silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Belfield-Daglum-Farland silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harriet loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vebar-Tally fine sandy loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fleak-Badland complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stady loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not 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 52% 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 79% 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.