Mineral County Area, Nevada
The most common soil here is Stewval, on about 4% of the land: a very gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Blacktop and Downeyville come next.
About 96% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 55% 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 Mineral 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 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 Mineral 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pintwater-Blacktop-Rock outcrop association | 105K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Downeyville-Blacktop-Rock outcrop association | 83K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brawley-Pizona association | 62K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nupart-Lazan-Rock outcrop association | 60K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oricto-Gynelle-Izo association | 58K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gynelle-Izo association | 44K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garhill-Blacktop association | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duco-Nosrac association, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawsley loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 34K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Theon-Singatse-Rock outcrop association | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stewval, very steep-Stewval-Gabbvally association | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Borealis-Itca association | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stewval-Gabbvally association | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stewval very gravelly sandy loam, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Candelaria-Wardenot-Izo association | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hough-Hawsley association | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Downeyville, moist-Downeyville-Gabbvally association | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 25K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Blacktop-Rock outcrop association | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jetcop-Gabbvally association | 23K | 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 81% 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 94% 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.