Nevada Soil Surveys
Nevada has 47 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation, making up roughly 45% of surveyed soils. Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter account for another 28%.
In terms of drainage, 86% of Nevada soils are classified as well drained. Drainage class affects everything from septic system design to basement feasibility to garden planning. Use the survey area pages below to see drainage details for specific counties, or look up any address for an exact soil profile.
Soil Types
Aridisols
45% of surveyed soils
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Mollisols
28% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Entisols
22% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Inceptisols
2% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Survey Areas
Big Smoky Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Nye CountyCarson City Area, NevadaChurchill County Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill and Lyon CountiesClark County Area, NevadaDesert National Wildlife Refuge Area, Nevada, South PartDiamond Valley Area, Nevada, Parts of Elko, Eureka and White Pine CountiesDouglas County Area, NevadaElko County, Nevada, Central PartElko County, Nevada, Northeast PartElko County, Nevada, Southeast PartEnergy and Defense Area, Nevada, Parts of Clark, Lincoln and Nye CountiesEsmeralda County Area, NevadaEureka County Area, NevadaFallon-Fernley Area, Nevada, Parts of Churchill, Lyon, Storey and Washoe CountiesGreat Basin National Park, NevadaHawthorne Ammunition Plant, Nevada, Part of Mineral CountyHumboldt County, Nevada, East PartHumboldt County, Nevada, West PartHumboldt National Forest Area, Nevada, North Part, Parts of Elko and White Pine CountiesHumboldt National Forest, Nevada, South Part, Parts of Lincoln, Nye and White Pine CountiesLander County, Nevada, North PartLander County, Nevada, South PartLas Vegas Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Clark CountyLincoln County, Nevada, North PartLincoln County, Nevada, South PartLovelock Area, Nevada, Parts of Pershing and Churchill CountiesLyon County Area, NevadaMeadow Valley Area, Nevada, Part of Lincoln CountyMineral County Area, NevadaNorthwest Elko County Area, Nevada, Part of Elko and Eureka CountiesNye County, Nevada, Northeast PartNye County, Nevada, Northwest PartNye County, Nevada, Southwest PartPahranagat-Penoyer Area, Nevada, Parts of Lincoln and Nye CountiesPershing County, Nevada, East PartPershing County, Nevada, West PartSheldon Antelope Refuge Area, Nevada, Parts of Humboldt and Washoe CountiesSnake Range Area, Nevada, Part of White Pine CountyStorey County Area, NevadaToiyabe National Forest, Nevada, Central Part, Parts of Eureka, Lander and Nye CountiesTuscarora Mountain Area, Nevada, Parts of Elko, Eureka and Lander CountiesVirgin River Area, Nevada and ArizonaWashoe County, Nevada, Central PartWashoe County, Nevada, North PartWashoe County, Nevada, South PartWestern White Pine County Area, Nevada, Parts of White Pine and Eureka CountiesWhite Pine County, Nevada, East Part