Box Elder County, Utah, Eastern Part
The most common soil here is Playas, on about 6% of the land. Thiokol and Middle come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 36% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 16% 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 Box Elder County, Utah, Eastern 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 Box Elder County, Utah, Eastern 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, saline | 555K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Playas | 81K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bram silt loam | 53K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 45K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Middle-Broad association, steep | 42K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thiokol silt loam, low rainfall, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stingal loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pintailake-Eimarsh-Playas complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 30K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sandall-Rozlee association, steep | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sandall-Promo association, steep | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Middle cobbly silt loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palisade silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hansel silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eimarsh-Playas-Pintailake complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saltair-Playas-Lasil complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Abela gravelly loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broad-Smarts association, steep | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thiokol silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parleys silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sanpete gravelly silt loam, high rainfall, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | 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 36% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 57% 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.