Sanpete Valley Area, Utah, Parts of Utah and Sanpete Counties
The most common soil here is Sanpete, on about 6% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Fontreen and Amtoft come next.
About 85% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 22% 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 Sanpete Valley Area, Utah, Parts of Utah and Sanpete 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 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 Sanpete Valley Area, Utah, Parts of Utah and Sanpete 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atepic-Badland association | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sanpete stony fine sandy loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 22K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Amtoft flaggy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Borvant-Lodar complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lodar-Fontreen complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amtoft-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bagard-Sanpitch complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deer Creek stony silt loam, high rainfall, 6 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yeates Hollow stony silt loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fontreen very cobbly loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodrow silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lizzant very stony loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mower-Lundy complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fontreen very cobbly loam, 40 to 70 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xerofluvents and Fluvaquents | 9K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Genola loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sanpete very cobbly sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quaker silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lizzant-Sedwell complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | 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 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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.