Fallon-Fernley Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill, Lyon, Storey and Washoe Counties

Survey Area NV603• Nevada

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 61% 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 96% 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.