Humboldt County, Nevada, West Part
The most common soil here is Typic Udorthents, on about 8% of the land. Boton and Bucklake come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 12% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 52% 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 Humboldt County, Nevada, West 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 Humboldt County, Nevada, West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wylo-Bucklake-Rock outcrop association | 111K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Udorthents, sandy dunes-Typic Udorthents, interdunes complex | 89K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Udorthents, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 81K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sondoa-Isolde association | 75K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Boton complex, occasionally flooded | 70K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rocconda association | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ninemile-Sumine-Softscrabble association | 53K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rocconda-Coppereid-Soughe complex | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boton-Playas association | 39K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grumblen-Pickup association MLRA 27 | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bullump-Sumine-Cleavage association | 37K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skedaddle-Rock outcrop-Sumya complex | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tumtum very cobbly loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Isolde-Ragtown association MLRA 27 | 32K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shawave-Deadyon association | 31K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Not limited |
| Devada-Bucklake complex | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tenabo-Gwena-Fulstone association | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Singatse-Rocconda-Badland association | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jaybee-Soughe-Hoot complex | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mazuma-Toulon-Isolde association | 27K | Excessively drained | A | 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 75% 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 91% 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.