Niobrara County, Wyoming
The most common soil here is Theedle, on about 11% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Kishona and Shingle come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 67% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% 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 68% 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 Niobrara County, Wyoming, 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 Niobrara County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taluce-Rock outcrop-Shingle complex, 6 to 45 percent slopes | 111K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theedle loam, 0 to 45 percent slopes, gullied | 109K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shingle-Badland-Samday complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Theedle-Kishona-Shingle loams, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jayem-Julesburg fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 75K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Jayem-Phiferson-Trelona fine sandy loams, 3 to 10 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kishona-Cambria loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kishona-Cambria-Theedle loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Taluce-Turnercrest-Keeline fine sandy loams, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hilight-Savageton clays, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Phiferson-Tassel-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jayem-Julesburg fine sandy loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents, cool-Torriorthentic Haplustolls-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 60 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Forkwood-Cambria loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Terro-Vonalee-Taluce association, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hilight-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 40 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forkwood-Cambria-Cushman loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Theedle-Kishona loams, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Recluse-Cedak loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clarkelen-Haverdad complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 67% 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.