Canyonlands Area, Utah - Parts of Grand and San Juan Counties
The most common soil here is Rizno, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Ustic Torriorthents and Begay come next.
About 55% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 45% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 41% 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 55% 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 Canyonlands Area, Utah - Parts of Grand and San Juan Counties, 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 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 Canyonlands Area, Utah - Parts of Grand and San Juan Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rizno-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 117K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Lithic Torriorthents, warm-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 80 percent slopes | 111K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rizno, dry complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 111K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop | 98K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Rizno complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 96K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rizno, dry-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 96K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Begay-Rock outcrop-Mido complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 57K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bond-Rizno fine sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Ustollic Calciorthids complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Begay fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rock outcrop-Moenkopie complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 34K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Begay fine sandy loam, moist, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ignacio-Leanto fine sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Ustollic Haplargids complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moenkopie-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahona fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mido loamy fine sand, dry, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Herm-Iles stony loams, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Herm-Tomasaki-Falcon complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moab very cobbly fine sandy loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | 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 41% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 45% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.