Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

Survey Area WY656• Wyoming

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Shoshone National Forest, 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
Rubble land, Rock outcrop, and Eutrocryepts soils, 15 to 70 percent slopes	390K		A	Not rated	Not rated
Rock outcrop, Charpeak, and Cowood soils, 15 to 75 percent slopes	180K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Storm-Basaltlake-Butchlake families, complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes	148K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Arrowpeak, Cowood, Sigbird families, soils, 15 to 75 percent slopes	116K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Agneston-McCall-families, Rubble land complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes	90K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Telay-Storm-Needleton families, complex, 25 to 75 percent slopes	86K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Jeru-Swapps-McCall families, complex, 7 to 40 percent slopes	64K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Guffey, Ellena, Shadow families, soils, 15 to 80 percent slopes	54K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex	53K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Cryaquepts, Cryaquolls, and Cryofluvents soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, volcanic alluvium, frequently flooded	43K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Presa-Garlet-Owlcreek families, complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Eutrocryepts soils and Rock outcrop, 15 to 80 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Storm-Sigbird-Cuberant families, complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Eutrocryepts-Humic Eutrocryepts-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 55 percent slopes	38K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Elting-Jeru families, complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes	38K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Rock outcrop, Rubble land, Eutrocryepts soils, 30 to 60 percent slopes	35K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Jeru-Elting families-Rock outcrop complex, 7 to 60 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Arrowpeak-Hoodle-Redcloud families, complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes	29K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Typic Haplocryalfs-Owlcreek-Garlet families, complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Storm-Cuberant-Needleton families, complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very 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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Mollisols

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

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 67% 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 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.