Olympic National Forest Area, Washington (Parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties)
The most common soil here is Fricaba, on about 3% of the land: a extremely gravelly medial sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Waketickeh and Solleks come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 95% 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 69% 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 Olympic National Forest Area, Washington (Parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Olympic National Forest Area, Washington (Parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex, 15 to 100 percent slopes | 40K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Skookumcreek-Bonjonpass-Mountscott complex, 0 to 100 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waketickeh-Fricaba complex, 60 to 100 percent south slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fricaba-Waketickeh-Duckabush complex, 60 to 90 percent south slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Haplocryands association, glacial trough, 60 to 100 percent slopes | 11K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Sawpeak-Walkinshaw-McGravey complex, 60 to 90 percent north slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Larsencreek-Elklake-Eatoncreek complex, 60 to 100 percent north slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aristine-Brokenfinger complex, 30 to 60 percent north slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fricaba-Waketickeh-Duckabush complex, low precipitation, 60 to 90 percent south slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sorethumb-Blackjack complex, 50 to 100 percent south slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hapludands and Dystrudepts soils, 50 to 90 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sappho-Edenvalley-Pysht complex, 40 to 80 percent north slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McKinnon-Flatbottom-Lizardlake complex, 60 to 100 percent south slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tunnelcreek-Juandefuca-Pennycreek complex, 60 to 90 percent south slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solleks-Kestner complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mudcreek gravelly loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tylerpeak-Bungalow-Mueller complex, 60 to 90 percent north slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quinault-Murhut complex, 60 to 100 percent north slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edenvalley-Sappho-Pysht complex, 15 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Haplocryands-Rubble land association, cirque headwalls, 60 to 100 percent slopes | 8K | 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 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 100% 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.