Benton County Area, Washington
The most common soil here is Ritzville, on about 25% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Warden and Shano come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 44% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 35% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 6% 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 Benton County Area, Washington, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Benton County Area, Washington. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritzville silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 169K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Warden silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hezel loamy fine sand, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 47K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shano silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Quincy loamy sand, 0 to 30 percent | 43K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warden very fine sandy loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kiona very stony silt loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Willis silt loam, shallow, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warden silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kiona very stony silt loam, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warden silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Koehler loamy fine sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shano very fine sandy loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Burbank loamy fine sand, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Willis silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville very fine sandy loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Warden silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not 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 35% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 44% 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.