Nye County, Nevada, Northwest Part
The most common soil here is Unsel, on about 10% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Alley and Stewval come next.
About 99% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% 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 25% 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 Nye County, Nevada, Northwest 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Nye County, Nevada, Northwest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grassval-Alley-Zaidy association | 78K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alley-Pineval-Spasprey association | 61K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yomba-Playas association | 51K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vinini-Stewval-Gabbvally association | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stumble-Eastgate association | 42K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Unsel-Hollywell-Lyx association | 36K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Unsel-Hollywell association | 34K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Unsel-Annaw association | 30K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Stewval-Rock outcrop association | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stewval-Downeyville-Rock outcrop association | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jevets-Stumble-Univega association | 28K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosney-Dunphy-Paranat association | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stumble-Unsel-Eastgate association | 26K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Stewval-Bellehelen-Rock outcrop association | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lyda-Unsel association | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gabbvally-Stewval-Bellehelen association | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grassval-Zaidy-Alley association | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Unsel gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pintwater-Gabbvally-Stewval association | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Handpah-Watoopah-Veet association | 19K | 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 67% 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 79% 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.