Desert National Wildlife Refuge Area, Nevada, South Part
The most common soil here is Boxspring, on about 10% of the land: a extremely gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Zeheme and Weiser come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 55% 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 Desert National Wildlife Refuge Area, Nevada, South Part, 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Desert National Wildlife Refuge Area, Nevada, South Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxspring-Sheeppass association | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zeheme-Rock outcrop association | 45K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Thomas-Rock outcrop association | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seralin-Wheelerwell-Sheeprange association | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Joemay-Threelakes complex | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Purob-Ferrogold association | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Joemay-Alamoroad association | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Weiser-Wechech association | 22K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wechech-Weiser association | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Potosi-Zeheme-Rock outcrop association | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purob, dry-Ferrogold association | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ferrogold-Weiser association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seralin-Sheeprange-Rock outcrop association | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mormonwell-Boxspring association | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wamp very gravelly fine sandy loam, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wamp very gravelly fine sandy loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haypeak-Kitgram-Sheeprange association | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boxsprings-Scrapy-Rock outcrop association | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ferrogold very gravelly loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Birdspring-St. Thomas-Rock outcrop association | 8K | Well drained | D | 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 89% 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 82% 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.