Big Smoky Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Nye County
The most common soil here is Stumble, on about 6% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Dobel and Koyen come next.
About 85% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% 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 16% 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 Big Smoky Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Nye County, 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Big Smoky Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Nye County. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stumble loamy fine sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dobel-Bluewing association | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grassval-Alley-Zaidy association | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vigus-Koyen association | 19K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Not limited |
| Yomba-Playas complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Playas | 15K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Ardivey-Wardenot association | 15K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Timper gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alley-Wiffo-Wrango association | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Umberland clay loam | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollywell-Unsel association | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Old Camp-Rock outcrop complex | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Koyen gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Unsel-Izo complex | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bluewing very gravelly sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parran silty clay loam | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Unsel-Belted-Orphant association | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laxal-Wrango association | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wardenot gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Koyen fine sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not 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 71% 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 78% 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.