Lovelock Area, Nevada, Parts of Pershing and Churchill Counties
The most common soil here is Humboldt, on about 17% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Lovelock and Slawha come next.
About 35% of the land drains well, and 57% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 96% 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 1% 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 Lovelock Area, Nevada, Parts of Pershing and Churchill 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Lovelock Area, Nevada, Parts of Pershing and Churchill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt silty clay, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sondoa-Swingler-Isolde association | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ryepatch clay, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lovelock silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slawha silt loam, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lovelock silt loam, ponded, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humboldt silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sondoa silt loam, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bigmeadow silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brinker silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Placeritos loam, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slawha silt loam, slightly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Placeritos loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ryepatch silty clay loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humboldt silt loam, drained, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armydrain silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lovelock silt loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Slawha silty clay loam, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lahontan silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 1K | D | Not rated | Not rated |
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 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include 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. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.