Las Vegas Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Clark County
The most common soil here is Cave, on about 16% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Weiser and Las Vegas come next.
About 91% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Las Vegas Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Clark County, 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 Las Vegas Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Clark County. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weiser-Wechech association | 21K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Las Vegas-DeStazo complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weiser extremely gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| McCarran fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goodsprings gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cave gravelly fine sandy loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glencarb silt loam | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Las Vegas gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boxspring-Zeheme-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 to percent slopes MLRA 30 | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-St. Thomas complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Cave very stony sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Las Vegas-McCarran-Grapevine complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canutio-Cave gravelly fine sandy loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Irongold-Weiser association | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zeheme-Potosi-Rock outcrop association | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jean gravelly loamy fine sand, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tencee very gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jean complex, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sunrock-Haleburu-Rock outcrop association | 7K | 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 64% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.