Lake County, Oregon, Southern Part
The most common soil here is Booth, on about 5% of the land: a very stony loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Freznik and Floke come next.
About 76% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% 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 50% 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, Southern Part, 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, Southern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 88K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Freznik very stony loam, thin surface, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Floke complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brace-Raz complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anawalt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ratto-Coglin complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hart very gravelly loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Booth very stony loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Playas | 25K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Woodchopper-Rogger complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kewake-Helphenstein complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 21K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Drews loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes, goose lake valley, northern part, mlra 21 | 19K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Lonegrave association, 30 to 70 percent south slopes | 19K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Newlands-Ninemile complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carryback very cobbly loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corral fine sandy loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ozamis silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Icene-Playas complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Raz-Brace complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes, south lake area, mlra 23 | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Drakesflat-Coglin complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | 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 80% 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 91% 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.