Clallam County Area, Washington
The most common soil here is Klahowya, on about 12% of the land: a gravelly medial sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Palix and Ozette come next.
About 53% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% 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 4% 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 Clallam 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Andisols — soils formed in volcanic ash, very light and porous. 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 Clallam 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klahowya silt loam, 5 to 35 percent slopes | 70K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palix loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ozette silt loam, 5 to 35 percent slopes | 29K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snahopish very gravelly loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palix-Ozette complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elwha gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clallam gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solduc very gravelly sandy loam | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Klone-Klahowya-Tealwhit complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ozette-Andeptic Udorthents complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Queets silt loam | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Terbies very gravelly sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klahowya-Andeptic Udorthents complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elwha gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Makah gravelly loam, 50 to 80 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ilwaco silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tealwhit silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kydaka-Zeeka complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sentinelpeak gravelly loam, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Louella gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well 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 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 95% 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.