Winema National Forest Area, Oregon
The most common soil here is Lapine, on about 38% of the land: a coarse sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Shukash and Collier come next.
About 84% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 15% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 34% 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 1% 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 Winema 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Andisols — soils formed in volcanic ash, very light and porous. 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 Winema 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 212K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, high precipitation, cool, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 66K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shukash paragravelly ashy loamy coarse sand, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 58K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Collier-Maklak complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 53K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, cold, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 46K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Steiger, moderately deep dense substratum-Maklak, cold complex 1 to 4 percent slopes | 42K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Steiger, moderately deep dense substratum-Lapine complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Collier-Maklak complex, cold, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kyotesue very gravelly medial loam, very bouldery, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapine, fine sand substratum-Pickedup complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 30K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grousehill-Grousehill, wet complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapine-Lapine, high precipitation, cool association, 12 to 35 percent slopes | 26K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Collier-Onionpie-Maklak complex, warm, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Aspenbutte-Skylake complex, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Shukash paragravelly ashy loamy coarse sand, warm, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chinchallo mucky diatomaceous silt, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, high precipitation, 12 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, high precipitation, cool, 12 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lapine paragravelly ashy coarse sandy loam, warm, dry, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Yamsay muck, very long ponding, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/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 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.