Box Elder County, Utah, Western Part
The most common soil here is Playas, on about 22% of the land. Skumpah and Saltair come next.
About 70% of the land drains well, and 24% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 36% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% 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 23% 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, Western 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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, Western 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playas | 450K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skumpah-Playas complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 167K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water, saline | 91K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Saltair-Playas association, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 87K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkay-Broad Canyon families association, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skumpah, sodic-Playas complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tosser-Sitar association, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Skumpah-Skumpah, sodic-Swingler association, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kunzler-Lembos association, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dahar-Codquin gravelly sandy loams, 8 to 60 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Declo-Lembos-Tarnach association, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Smaug very fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rexmont-Shalper-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clavicon-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brobett-Plegomir association, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lundy-Sonlet-Lodar very gravelly loams, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lembos-Taylorsflat complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ridgecrest-Bickmore families association, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acana-Jericho association, 3 to 10 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cliffdown, alkali-Rock outcrop-Promo complex, 10 to 35 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
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.