Heber Valley Area, Utah - Parts of Wasatch and Utah Counties
The most common soil here is Broadhead, on about 8% of the land: a very cobbly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Roundy and Henefer come next.
About 88% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 28% 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 Heber Valley Area, Utah - Parts of Wasatch and Utah 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Heber Valley Area, Utah - Parts of Wasatch and Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock land | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Broadhead-Little Pole association, steep | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gappmayer-Wallsburg association, very steep | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wallsburg-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broadhead-Little Pole association, very steep | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daybell soils, 40 to 65 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daybell-Fitzgerald association, very steep | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roundy loam, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Henefer soils, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Little Pole very cobbly sandy clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gappmayer gravelly fine sandy loam, 40 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gappmayer-Bradshaw association, very steep | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roundy-Cluff association, hilly | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flygare soils, 25 to 40 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Henefer soils, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluventic Haploborolls | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bradshaw-Wallsburg association, very steep | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watkins Ridge-Clegg complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Little Pole very cobbly sandy clay loam, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roundy-Daybell association, very steep | 4K | 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 78% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.