Soil survey area

Johnson County, Wyoming, Southern Part

Survey Area WY619• Wyoming
The short version

The most common soil here is Shingle, on about 9% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Renohill and Tassel come next.

About 92% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% 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 81% 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 Johnson County, Wyoming, Southern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Shingle
9% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Entisols
Renohill
4% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Aridisols
Tassel
3% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Entisols
Samsil
3% of the area
Clay topsoil · well drained
Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.
Entisols
Sunup
3% of the area
Very channery clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Entisols
Parmleed
3% 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 Johnson 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
Samday-Shingle-Badland complex, 10 to 45 percent slopes 78K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Shingle-Tassel complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes 73K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Shingle-Kishona-Samsil, dry complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes 54K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Renohill-Razor-Samsil, dry complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes 46K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Razor-Gaynor, dry-Samsil, dry complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes 41K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Cambria-Cushman complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes 31K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Parmleed-Renohill complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes 31K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Parmleed-Lohsman-Cadoma complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes 28K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Starley-Rock outcrop complex, steep 27K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Spearfish-Shale outcrop complex, steep 25K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Sunup-Carnero association 25K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Badland 23K DVery limitedVery limited
Rock outcrop 23K DNot ratedNot rated
Sunup, cool moist-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes 22K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Terro-Tassel-Shingle complex, 6 to 40 percent slopes 20K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Shingle-Cushman complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes 17K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Decross-Woosley association 16K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Cloud Peak-Dell association 16K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Shingle-Kishona-Zigweid loams, 6 to 30 percent slopes 15K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Cushman-Parmleed-Renohill complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes 14K Well drainedDSomewhat 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.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 72% 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 78% 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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