Fallon-Fernley Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill, Lyon, Storey and Washoe Counties
The most common soil here is Isolde, on about 12% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Sodic Endoaquents and Typic Udorthents come next.
About 50% of the land drains well, and 45% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 23% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% 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 Fallon-Fernley Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill, Lyon, Storey and Washoe 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 Excessively 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 Fallon-Fernley Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill, Lyon, Storey and Washoe 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 | 93K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Udorthents, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 79K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Parran-Appian, clay substratum complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 43K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appian-Isolde complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Parran-Appian association | 35K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Biddleman-Mazuma-Weena association | 30K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carson-Stillwater complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parran-Isolde complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bango-Hawsley association MLRA 27 | 19K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Appian clay substratum complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hawsley loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Appian complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 17K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Dune land-Playas complex | 13K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Badland-Mazuma complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Lahontan clay, strongly saline, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pirouette-Singatse-Hawsley association | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appian-Playas association | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pirouette-Theon-Weena association | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mackerlake-Water complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly 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 59% 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, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.