Nye County, Nevada, Southwest Part
The most common soil here is Yermo, on about 15% of the land: a cobbly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Arizo and Commski come next.
About 92% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 53% 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 29% 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, Southwest 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 A (high infiltration, low 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, Southwest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yermo, hot-Yermo-Arizo association | 131K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Yermo-Greyeagle association | 38K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rock outcrop-St. Thomas association | 35K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| St. Thomas-Rock outcrop-Commski association | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skelon-Yermo-Pinez complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sanwell-Sanwell, warm-Yermo association | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gabbvally-Upspring-Rubble land association | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weiser-Canoto association | 20K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Playas | 20K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Zalda-Greyeagle-Upspring association | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tecopa-Zibate-Rock outcrop association | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Besherm clay loam | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Upspring-Rubble land complex, 8 to 75 percent slopes | 19K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Yermo-Skelon association | 17K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Zibate-Zyplar-Dedas association | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yermo-Commski association | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Zibate-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Thomas-Tecopa-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arizo very gravelly sandy loam, moist, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Commski-Lastchance association | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 53% 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 65% 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.