Franklin County, Washington
The most common soil here is Quincy, on about 17% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Ritzville and Shano come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 58% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 33% 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 16% 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 Franklin 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 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 Franklin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy loamy fine sand, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 108K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Quincy loamy fine sand, loamy substratum, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 21K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Quincy-Hezel complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ritzville silt loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roloff-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prosser-Starbuck-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagehill very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Roloff-Lickskillet-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagehill very fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hezel loamy fine sand, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Starbuck-Roloff-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warden very fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ritzcal-Ritzville complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ritzcal-Ritzville complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Starbuck-Prosser-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neppel very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | 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 33% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 58% 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.