Douglas County, Washington
The most common soil here is Touhey, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Argabak and Renslow come next.
About 94% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 39% 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 Douglas County, 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 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 Douglas County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touhey complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Touhey-Stubblefield complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grinrod-Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Strat-Tubspring complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Renslow silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Argabak-Timentwa-Rock outcrop complex, warm, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heytou-Stubblefield complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Renslow silt loam, cemented substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tubspring-DelRio-Strat complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Timentwa-Lickskillet-Argabak complex, warm, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Siweeka-Brazlan complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Siweeka complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Toler ashy silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Argabak-Horseflat complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Argabak-Horseflat-Toler complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heytou-Stubblefield complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heytou-Stubblefield-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Farmer ashy fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tagear ashy fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.