Skamania County Area, Washington
The most common soil here is Zygore, on about 6% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Aschoff and Swift come next.
About 84% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% 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 20% 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 Skamania 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 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 Skamania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Zygore gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aschoff very gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rubbleland complex | 14K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Aschoff-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Martin gravelly silty clay loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swift cindery sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| McElroy gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steever stony clay loam, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinney loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cinnamon sandy loam, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Studebaker very gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Zygore-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dougan very gravelly loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skoly stony loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steever stony clay loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cinnamon sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stabler loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Swift-Rock outcrop complex, 65 to 90 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Umbric Vitrandepts, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | 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 85% 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 92% 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.