Soil survey area

Converse County, Wyoming, Northern Part

Survey Area WY709• Wyoming
The short version

The most common soil here is Hiland, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Shingle and Tassel come next.

About 99% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 60% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 51% 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 78% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Converse County, Wyoming, Northern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Hiland
13% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Aridisols
Shingle
11% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Entisols
Tassel
7% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Entisols
Bowbac
6% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Aridisols
Ulm
5% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Aridisols
Worf
5% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Aridisols

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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Converse County, Wyoming, Northern Part. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Hiland-Bowbac complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes 185K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Shingle-Badland-Samday complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes 177K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Worf-Shingle-Tassel complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes 125K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Hiland-Bowbac sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes 89K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tassel-Tullock-Vonalee complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes 72K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Samday-Shingle-Worf complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes 71K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Ulm-Renohill complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes 58K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Absted-Arvada-Bone complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes 57K Well drainedCVery limitedNot limited
Forkwood-Cambria fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes 51K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Shingle-Tassel complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes 34K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Dwyer-Orpha loamy sands, 3 to 15 percent slopes 32K Excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Forkwood-Ulm complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes 30K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Ulm-Renohill clay loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes 28K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Forkwood-Cambria-Cushman complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes 27K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Ulm-Bidman complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes 25K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tassel-Terro-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes 22K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Haverdad-Lohmiller complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded 21K Well drainedBVery limitedSomewhat limited
Wibaux-Rock outcrop-Shingle complex, 6 to 45 percent slopes 20K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Keeline-Tassel-Turnback complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes 20K Somewhat excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Orella, dry-Rock outcrop-Samday complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes 17K Well drainedDVery limitedVery 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.

Aridisols
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 51% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 60% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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