Arches National Park, Utah
The dominant drainage class is Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Arches National Park, Utah. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Arches complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Mident family-Mido complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Arches-Rock outcrop complex, Entrada Formation, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mido-Mido, strongly calcareous complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rizno-Arches-Mido complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Arches-Pensom, moderately deep complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Milok-Mido, strongly calcareous complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Crosscan family-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arches-Rizno-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mido, strongly calcareous-Mido complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Arches-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowington-Radnik-Patterfield complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chedeski family, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Remorris loam, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 1K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Begay fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, overwash | 1K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Persayo-Somorent family complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Moclom-Simel complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 1K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Livan family, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 776 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Retsabal very fine sandy loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 571 | 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 54% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 59% 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.