Hood River County Area, Oregon
The most common soil here is Yallani, on about 10% of the land: a stony ashy loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Bins and Oak Grove come next.
About 91% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% 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 28% 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 Hood River County Area, Oregon, 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 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 Hood River County Area, Oregon. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bins-Bindle association, steep | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yallani stony loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wyeth very gravelly loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bins-Bindle association, very steep | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkdale loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Yallani stony loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hutson fine sandy loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bald very cobbly loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bald cobbly loam, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Oak Grove loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dee silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ketchly loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Divers gravelly loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oak Grove loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Culbertson loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oak Grove loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hood loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Xerofluvents, nearly level | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bodell very cobbly loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 2K | 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 76% 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 89% 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.