Lyon County Area, Nevada
The most common soil here is Theon, on about 9% of the land: a very gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cleaver and Malpais come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 77% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 49% 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 Lyon County Area, Nevada, 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 Lyon County Area, Nevada. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theon very gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theon-Olac association | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapon-Rubble land-Rock outcrop association | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hyloc-Ister-Rock outcrop association | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Patna sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes MLRA 27 | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fulstone-Reno complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mirkwood-Nemico association | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cleaver gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cleaver association, sloping | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Piroutte-Cleaver-Weena association | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theon-Rock outcrop-Old Camp, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doorkiss-Ceejay association | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hyloc-Ister association | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minneha-Berit-Wile association | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Singatse-Theon association | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theon-Lapon-Olac association | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Malpais gravelly loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ister-Hyloc-Lunder association | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cleaver stony sandy loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lahontan silty clay loam, strongly saline-alkali | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | 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 77% 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 89% 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.