Cache Valley Area, Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties, Utah
The most common soil here is Agassiz, on about 6% of the land: a very cobbly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Lucky Star and Mendon come next.
About 73% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 29% 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 Cache Valley Area, Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties, Utah, 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 Cache Valley Area, Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties, 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 LAND | 15K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| LUCKY STAR GRAVELLY SILT LOAM, 30 TO 60 PERCENT SLOPES | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| AGASSIZ-DATEMAN ASSOCIATION, ERODED | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| TRENTON SILTY CLAY LOAM, 0 TO 2 PERCENT SLOPES | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| GREENSON LOAM, 0 TO 3 PERCENT SLOPES | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| MENDON SILT LOAM, 0 TO 3 PERCENT SLOPES | 10K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| AGASSIZ-BRADSHAW ASSOCIATION, ERODED | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| LEWISTON FINE SANDY LOAM | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| WHEELON-COLLINSTON COMPLEX, 10 TO 30 PERCENT SLOPES, ERODED | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| GORING-OBRAY ASSOCIATION, ERODED | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| BICKMORE-SHEEP CREEK ASSOCIATION, ERODED | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| YEATES HOLLOW COBBLY SILTY CLAY LOAM, 3 TO 30 PERCENT SLOPES, ERODED | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| BARFUSS-LEATHAM ASSOCIATION | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| DATEMAN EXTREMELY ROCKY SILT LOAM, 40 TO 80 PERCENT SLOPES | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| KIDMAN FINE SANDY LOAM, DEEP WATER TABLE, 0 TO 2 PERCENT SLOPES | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| NIBLEY SILTY CLAY LOAM, 0 TO 3 PERCENT SLOPES | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| WATER | 7K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| ANT FLAT LOAM, 6 TO 20 PERCENT SLOPES | 7K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| DATWYLER-ELZINGA-MAUGHAN ASSOCIATION | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| SHEEP CREEK-AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, ERODED | 6K | Well drained | C | 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.