Lake County, Oregon, Northern Part, Parts of Lake and Klamath Counties
The most common soil here is Raz, on about 7% of the land: a very cobbly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Moonbeam and Brace come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 62% 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 Lake County, Oregon, Northern Part, Parts of Lake and Klamath 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 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 Lake County, Oregon, Northern Part, Parts of Lake and Klamath 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raz-Brace complex, high precipitation, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 188K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Raz-Brace complex, low precipitation, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 131K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goodtack ashy very fine sandy loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Abert ashy loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Thornlake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Morehouse ashy loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 43K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 42K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Yankeewell very cobbly sandy loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Enko loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ninemile very cobbly loam, low precipitation, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wanoga-Henkle complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moonbeam-Goodtack complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moonbeam very gravelly ashy loam, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lonegrave-Fitzwater-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anawalt-Freznik complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rabbithills gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Haploxerolls-Lava flows complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wanoga-Henkle complex, dry, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wegert-Kunceider complex, cool, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weglike-Suckerflat complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.