Washoe County, Nevada, Central Part

Survey Area NV771• Nevada

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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Washoe County, Nevada, Central 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
Typic Udorthents, 0 to 1 percent slopes	130K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	76K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Wylo-Pickup-Bucklake association	49K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sodic Endoaquents, 0 to 1 percent slopes	42K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Jaybee-Oppio-Old Camp association	41K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Terca-Reywat-Wylo association	41K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Devada-Dosie-Softscrabble association	38K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bucklake-Pickup-Wylo association	25K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pickup-Wylo association	25K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Devada-Tunnison association	19K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ragtown association	19K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ceejay-Pickup association	17K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Foxcan-Sojur-Rock outcrop association	17K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Wylo-Bucklake-Rock outcrop association	16K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Veta-Mazuma association	15K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Devada-Hart Camp-Tunnison association	15K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Typic Torriorthents-Aquic Torriorthentscomplex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Trocken, stony-Mazuma association	15K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Skedaddle-Jaybee-Rock outcrop association	14K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Veta-Langston association	13K	Well drained	A	Very 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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 85% 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 81% 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.