Elko County, Nevada, Central Part
The most common soil here is Wieland, on about 6% of the land: a very gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Hunnton and Cleavage come next.
About 94% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% 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 51% 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 Elko County, Nevada, Central 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 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 Elko County, Nevada, Central 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioya-Orovada association | 116K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hunnton-Wieland-Hunnton, gravelly association | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linkup-Roca-Vanwyper association | 64K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quarz-Cleavage-Loncan association | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hunnton-Wieland-Bilbo association | 48K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hunnton-Wieland-Gance association | 44K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sumine-Cleavage-Cleavage, very cobbly association | 41K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cleavage-Cleavage, very cobbly-Loncan association | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Donna-Stampede-Gance association | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotant-McIvey-Quarz association | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tustell-Gance-Mahala association | 35K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wieland-Enko association | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cotant-McIvey-Rock outcrop association | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orovada-Bioya-Haybourne association | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Orovada-Puett association | 28K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Enko-Rad association | 28K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hunnton-Wieland-Wieland, moderately steep association | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Devilsgait-Woofus-Devilsgait, gravelly substratum association | 27K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chen, moderately steep-Chen-Lerrow association | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hunnton-Chiara-Wieland association | 24K | 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 80% 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 100% 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.