Rogue River National Forest Area, Oregon
The most common soil here is Grousehill, on about 9% of the land: a gravelly medial loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Kyotesue and Aspenbutte come next.
About 87% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 74% 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 41% 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 Rogue River National Forest 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Rogue River National Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyotesue, very bouldery-Rubble land complex, 12 to 50 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aspenbutte-Skylake complex, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Caris-Offenbacher gravelly loams, 50 to 80 percent north slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caris-Offenbacher gravelly loams, 50 to 75 percent south slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barhiskey gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill gravelly medial loam, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McNull-McMullin gravelly loams, 35 to 60 percent south slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill-Grousehill, wet complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Umak paragravelly ashy fine sandy loam, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kyotesue very gravelly medial loam, very bouldery, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill gravelly medial sandy loam, wet, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freezener-Geppert complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Unionpeak-Grousehill complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rogue cobbly coarse sandy loam, 35 to 80 percent north slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castlecrest-Badland complex, 60 to 100 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill-Rubble land complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dumont-Coyata gravelly loams, 35 to 60 percent north slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kyotesue very gravelly medial loam, 4 to 20 percent slopes, very bouldery | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Donegan very gravelly ashy sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent south slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill-Llaorock complex, 5 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/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 74% 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 85% 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.