Fremont County, Wyoming, Lander Area
The most common soil here is Farlow, on about 10% of the land: a channery loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Sinkson and Forelle come next.
About 94% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 66% 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 Fremont County, Wyoming, Lander Area, 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 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 Fremont County, Wyoming, Lander Area. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farlow-Duncom association | 53K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Patent-Forelle association | 45K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sinkson-Thermopolis association | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thermopolis-Sinkson association | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crownest-Cotha association | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackhall-Carmody association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duncom-Farlow-Rock outcrop association | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Handran-Midelight association | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cotha-Blazon-Rock outcrop association | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Diamondville-Forelle association | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sapphire-Duncom association | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blazon-Rock outcrop association | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Diamondville-Highpoint association | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Irigul-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leavitt loam | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lupinto clay loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Leavitt-Rock outcrop association | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ustic Torrifluvents-Aeric Fluvaquents complex | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Blazon-Patent association | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Highpoint association | 4K | D | Not rated | Not rated |
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 78% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.