Big Horn County Area, Wyoming

Survey Area WY603• Wyoming

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Big Horn County Area, Wyoming. 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
WY603-CL5-20	97K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-4	77K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
WY603-CL5-2	77K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-1	73K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-3	58K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-22	54K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Badland	53K			Not rated	Not rated
WY603-CL5-27	39K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-21	39K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sayles-Persayo-Youngston complex, 0 to 45 percent slopes -- Draft	39K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chipeta-Persayo-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 45 percent slopes -- Draft	33K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mudray-like very channery-Larim-like complex, 6 to 60 percent slopes -- Draft	32K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bributte-Persayo-Pavillion complex, 3 to 60 percent slopes -- Draft	32K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Taluce-Travessilla complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-5	29K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Greybull-Persayo complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes -- Draft	29K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-26	27K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
WY603-CL5-7	26K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Preatorson-Worland-Willwood extremely gravelly complex, 3 to 60 percent slopes -- Draft	23K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Chipeta-like-Persayo-like-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes	21K	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 57% 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 79% 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.