Wind River Basin Area, Wyoming, Parts of Fremont and Hot Springs Counties
The most common soil here is Brownsto, on about 3% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Oceanet and Sinkson come next.
About 90% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 60% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 65% 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 Wind River Basin Area, Wyoming, Parts of Fremont and Hot Springs Counties, 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 Wind River Basin Area, Wyoming, Parts of Fremont and Hot Springs Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakehelen-Hazton complex, 6 to 60 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oceanet-Persayo-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 45 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thermopolis-Sinkson association, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blackhall-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Apron-Wallson-Worland association, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Worland-Oceanet-Persayo complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Griffy-Saddle-Wallson complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Irigul-Caseypeak-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 70 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nathale-Pishkun-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifsand-Persayo complex, 2 to 60 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saddle-Griffy sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Alpine Ridges, Rubble land-Tundra Complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes | 37K | A | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Sinkson-Thermopolis loams, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brownsto very bouldery-Brownsto-Anamac complex, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cragosen-Carmody-Blazon complex, 6 to 40 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nielsen-Snowdon complex, 2 to 60 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Blazon complex, 6 to 40 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Teewinot-Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex, 4 to 60 percent slopes | 34K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Dahlquist-Rock River complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rockinchair-Sinkson loams, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 60% 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.