Soil series profile

Elyria soil series

Elyria is a well drained soil with a loam surface, mapped on 9,201 acres in 4 counties in CO. Hydrologic group C.

#14592 by mapped area fine-loamy Anthroportic Ustorthents (Entisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: C
Typical topsoil pH: 7.4
Mapped area: 9k

Typical Elyria 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 Elyria horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–4 in (^A)	Loam	7.4	25%	38%	1.5%
4–9 in (^Cu1)	Clay loam	7.8	32%	35%	0.75%
9–26 in (^Cu2)	Sandy clay loam	7.6	29%	54%	0.3%
26–59 in (^Cu3)	Sandy clay loam	7.6	31%	55%	0.3%
59–79 in (2C)	Clay loam	7.8	33%	34%	0.3%

Representative values from the most extensive Elyria map unit (Urban land-Elyria-Denver complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes, survey area CO031). 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 Elyria soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Elyria soils is slightly alkaline: pH 7.4 (most land between 7.4 and 7.5). Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).

Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Elyria acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is loam (83% of mapped Elyria acres).

98% of mapped Elyria acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

On 93% 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 Elyria 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 Elyria soil is found

Mapped acres

Elyria is mapped in Colorado.

Counties with the most mapped Elyria soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Denver County, CO	7,880	7.8%
Arapahoe County, CO	954	0.2%
Jefferson County, CO	184	0.0%
Adams County, CO	183	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Elyria acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

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

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

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Elyria acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 2.6 feet (31 in) (median where reported).
Flooding: Mapped as flooding on 3% of acres (2% occasional, 0% frequent).
Slope: Typically 1–7% (median 3%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 1.5%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 97%

Moderately well drained 1%

Somewhat poorly drained 2%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

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

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Drainage class across mapped Elyria acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	96.8%
Moderately well drained	1.3%
Somewhat poorly drained	1.9%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%

Hydrologic soil group

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

B: moderate infiltration 7%

C: slow infiltration 93%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 0%

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 Elyria acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Elyria acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	7.3%
C: slow infiltration	92.7%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	0.0%
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 Elyria (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 9,201 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Elyria components. The profile comes from the single largest Elyria component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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