Churchill County Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill and Lyon Counties
The most common soil here is Sodic Endoaquents, on about 5% of the land. Trocken and Old camp come next.
About 86% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 48% 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 Churchill County Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill and Lyon Counties, 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 Churchill County Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill and Lyon Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodic Endoaquents, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 135K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Udorthents, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 93K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theon-Singatse-Rock outcrop association | 83K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Itca-Reluctan-Walti association | 70K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Old Camp-Colbar-Rock outcrop association, steep | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawsley loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 54K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Singatse-Rock outcrop association, very steep | 39K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jobpeak-Teguro-Rock outcrop association | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Parran-Appian association | 33K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pirouette-Osobb-Rock outcrop association | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Settlement-Louderback-Rustigate association | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rednik-Trocken-Genegraf association | 31K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Buckaroo-Rednik-Genegraf association | 29K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Singatse-Theon-Rezave association | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Genegraf-Rednik-Trocken association | 27K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rednik-Trocken-Bluewing association | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bango-Stumble association | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Old Camp-Singatse-Rock outcrop association | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duco-Clanalpine-Old Camp association | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Genegraf-Trocken-Bluewing association | 22K | Well drained | C | 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 74% 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 89% 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.