Pahranagat-Penoyer Area, Nevada, Parts of Lincoln and Nye Counties
The most common soil here is Tickapoo, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Fang and Alko come next.
About 95% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 12% 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 Pahranagat-Penoyer Area, Nevada, Parts of Lincoln and Nye 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 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 Pahranagat-Penoyer Area, Nevada, Parts of Lincoln and Nye 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alko-Arizo association | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tickapoo gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fang sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kawich-Playas complex | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tickapoo-Leo association, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monte Cristo fine sandy loam | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fang-Nyala association | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ursine, moderately sloping-Mezzer-Ursine association | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littleailie-Lojet association | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cliffdown gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pintwater-Rochpah association | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sundown loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chubard-Richinde association, steep | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pahroc-Leo association | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fang fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Leo gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pintwater-Rock outcrop, 12 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Papoose sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Stewval-Rock outcrop association | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Papoose sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not 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 83% 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 74% 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.