Soil series profile

Genola soil series

Genola is a well drained soil with a silt loam surface, mapped on 84,881 acres in 7 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group C.

#4010 by mapped area fine-silty Xeric Torrifluvents (Entisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: C
Typical topsoil pH: 8.5
Mapped area: 85k

Typical Genola 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 Genola horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–7 in (Ap)	Silt loam	8.8	15%	14%	0.75%
7–41 in (C1)	Silt loam	8.8	23%	10%	0.25%
41–50 in (C2)	Silty clay loam	8.8	28%	9%	0.25%
50–60 in (C3)	Clay loam	8.8	38%	30%	0.25%

Representative values from the most extensive Genola map unit (Genola silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, survey area ID708). 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 Genola soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Genola soils is strongly alkaline: pH 8.5 (most land between 8.5 and 8.8). 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 89% of mapped Genola acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is silt loam (64% of mapped Genola acres).

89% of mapped Genola acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

On 67% 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 36% of the acres in mapped Genola soils very limited, 54% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (11% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).

Flooding is mapped on 15% of the acres (0% occasional, 0% frequent).

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 Genola soil is found

Mapped acres

Genola is mapped in Utah and Idaho.

Counties with the most mapped Genola soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Juab County, UT	23,802	2.6%
Utah County, UT	23,186	2.2%
Cassia County, ID	17,525	1.7%
Sanpete County, UT	15,476	2.4%
Sevier County, UT	3,220	0.8%
Millard County, UT	1,564	0.1%
Piute County, UT	109	0.1%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Genola acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 54%

Very limited 36%

Not rated 11%

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

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Genola acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	53.5%
Very limited	35.9%
Not rated	10.7%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Genola acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: None reported within about 6.5 feet (median where reported).
Flooding: Mapped as flooding on 15% of acres (0% occasional, 0% frequent).
Slope: Typically 1–4% (median 1%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 1.2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 89%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

Not rated 11%

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

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Drainage class across mapped Genola acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	89.3%
Moderately well drained	0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	0.0%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%
Not rated	10.7%

Hydrologic soil group

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

B: moderate infiltration 22%

C: slow infiltration 67%

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%

Not rated 11%

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

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Genola acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	22.0%
C: slow infiltration	67.3%
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%
Not rated	10.7%

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 Genola (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 84,881 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Genola components. The profile comes from the single largest Genola component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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