Lander County, Nevada, North Part
The most common soil here is Beoska, on about 3% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Broyles and Oxcorel come next.
About 87% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 43% 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 Lander County, Nevada, North 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 Lander County, Nevada, North 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-Chiara-Cortez association | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sumine-Reluctan=-Cleavage association | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Creemon silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sumine-Chen-Rock outcrop association | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beoska silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cherry Spring-Enko association | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Playas | 20K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Relley silt loam | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oxcorel-Beoska-Whirlo association | 16K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Batan silt loam | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Whirlo-Broyles association | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wieland-Allor association | 15K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Old Camp, steep-Colbar-Old Camp association | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oxcorel-Golconda-Whirlo association | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vanwyper-Trunk-Trunk, steep association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wendane silt loam, frequently flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wieland-Oxcorel-Allor association | 13K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kingingham-Golconda-Whirlo association | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broyles very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Genaw-Perlor-Puett association | 12K | 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 62% 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 80% 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.