Virgin River Area, Nevada and Arizona
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Virgin River Area, Nevada and Arizona.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock land-St. Thomas association, very steep | 158K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Mormon Mesa fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 118K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bard gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 88K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 85K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Typic Torriorthents-Badland association | 61K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bitter Spring-Arizo association, moderately sloping | 34K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tonopah gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weiser cobbly sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colorock-Tonopah association, moderately sloping | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crosgrain-Irongold association | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonopah very gravelly sandy loam, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flattop gravelly clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wechech-Weiser association | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bard-Rough broken land association, gently sloping | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Virgin Peak-Rock outcrop association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bard very stony loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elbowcanyon-Wechech association | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arada fine sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Zeheme-Rock outcrop association | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldroad-Haleburu-Rock outcrop association | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 64% 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 67% 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.