Soil survey area

Converse County, Wyoming, Southern Part

Survey Area WY609• Wyoming
The short version

The most common soil here is Theedle, on about 9% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Kishona and Shingle come next.

About 96% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 65% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 55% 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 77% 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, Southern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Theedle
9% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Entisols
Kishona
9% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Entisols
Shingle
7% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Entisols
Cambria
5% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Aridisols
Taluce
5% of the area
Sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Entisols
Hiland
4% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
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 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 Converse County, Wyoming, Southern Part. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Theedle-Kishona-Shingle loams, 3 to 30 percent slopes 82K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Kishona-Cambria-Theedle loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes 78K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Kishona-Cambria loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes 60K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Rock outcrop-Cathedral complex, 10 to 75 percent slopes 60K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Hiland-Bowbac fine sandy loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes 50K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Shingle-Taluce-Badland complex, 10 to 40 percent slopes 49K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Boyle-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes 41K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Dwyer-Orpha loamy sands, 3 to 15 percent slopes 39K Excessively drainedASomewhat limitedVery limited
Shingle-Taluce complex, 6 to 40 percent slopes, very cobbly 38K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Hiland-Bowbac fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes 37K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tyzak-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 70 percent slopes 34K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Shingle-Badland-Samday complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes 32K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Boyle-Lininger loams, 1 to 15 percent slopes 31K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Cathedral-Rock outcrop complex, wooded, 6 to 75 percent slopes 29K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Shingle, thin solum-Badland-Taluce, thin solum complex, wooded, 6 to 45 percent slopes 23K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Theedle-Kishona loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes 23K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Taluce-Turnercrest-Keeline fine sandy loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes 18K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Theedle-Kishona loams, 6 to 20 percent slopes 15K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nunnston loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes 14K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Sunup-Threetop-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 40 percent slopes 14K 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.

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.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 55% 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 65% 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

📍