Soil series profile

Devada soil series

Devada is a well drained soil with a very cobbly loam surface, mapped on 551,552 acres in 14 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group D.

#480 by mapped area clayey Lithic Argixerolls (Mollisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: D
Typical topsoil pH: 7.0
Mapped area: 552k

Typical Devada profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

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Typical Devada horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–7 in (A)	Very cobbly loam	7.0	21%	42%	2%
7–15 in (Bt)	Gravelly clay	7.0	50%	22%	1.4%
15–25 in (R)	Unweathered bedrock	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Representative values from the most extensive Devada map unit (Devada-Rock outcrop association, 2 to 50 percent slopes, survey area CA608). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

What this means

What Devada soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Devada soils is neutral: pH 7.0, the range most vegetables, flowers and lawn grasses prefer.

Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Devada acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is very cobbly loam (39% of mapped Devada acres).

100% of mapped Devada acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

On 100% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.

For a septic system

For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Devada soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.

Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.

Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Devada soil is found

Mapped acres

Devada is mapped in Nevada, California and Oregon.

Counties with the most mapped Devada soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Washoe County, NV	195,829	4.8%
Lassen County, CA	159,011	4.5%
Humboldt County, NV	150,734	2.4%
Storey County, NV	10,958	6.6%
Plumas County, CA	10,278	0.5%
Douglas County, NV	7,484	1.6%
Lyon County, NV	4,670	0.4%
Modoc County, CA	4,338	0.4%
Carson City, NV	2,533	3.0%
Pershing County, NV	2,385	0.1%
Lake County, OR	1,047	0.0%
Alpine County, CA	700	0.1%
Malheur County, OR	445	0.0%
Mono County, CA	2	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Devada acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Devada acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Devada acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	100.0%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Devada acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: None reported within about 6.5 feet (median where reported).
Flooding: Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
Slope: Typically 5–26% (median 10%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 100%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

Drainage class across mapped Devada acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Devada acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	100.0%
Moderately well drained	0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	0.0%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 0%

B: moderate infiltration 0%

C: slow infiltration 0%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 100%

A/D: D as is, A if drained 0%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 0%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Devada acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

Show as a table

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Devada acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	0.0%
C: slow infiltration	0.0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	100.0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained	0.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained	0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained	0.0%

Sources & data dates

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
Data date: SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
Scope: All map unit components named Devada (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 551,552 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Devada components. The profile comes from the single largest Devada component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Devada.