Soil series profile

Telstad soil series

Telstad is a well drained soil with a loam surface, mapped on 788,583 acres in 15 counties in MT. Hydrologic group C.

#278 by mapped area fine-loamy Aridic Argiustolls (Mollisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: C
Typical topsoil pH: 7.0
Mapped area: 789k

Typical Telstad 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 Telstad horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–6 in (Ap)	Loam	7.0	24%	39%	2%
6–15 in (Bt)	Clay loam	7.2	33%	34%	1.5%
15–30 in (Bk1)	Clay loam	8.1	29%	34%	1%
30–45 in (Bk2)	Clay loam	8.3	28%	34%	0.75%
45–61 in (BCyz)	Loam	8.2	26%	38%	0.5%
61–79 in (Cz)	Loam	8.1	26%	38%	0.5%

Representative values from the most extensive Telstad map unit (Telstad-Joplin loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes, survey area MT041). 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 Telstad soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Telstad 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 Telstad acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is loam (100% of mapped Telstad acres).

100% of mapped Telstad 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 Telstad 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 Telstad soil is found

Mapped acres

Telstad is mapped in Montana.

Counties with the most mapped Telstad soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Hill County, MT	223,067	12.1%
Chouteau County, MT	165,331	6.6%
Blaine County, MT	161,302	5.9%
Phillips County, MT	65,114	1.7%
Liberty County, MT	62,168	6.8%
Valley County, MT	48,027	1.5%
Toole County, MT	40,364	3.8%
Pondera County, MT	15,497	1.5%
McCone County, MT	3,843	0.2%
Roosevelt County, MT	1,212	0.1%
Teton County, MT	1,086	0.1%
Dawson County, MT	881	0.1%
Glacier County, MT	545	0.0%
Wibaux County, MT	85	0.0%
Garfield County, MT	60	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Telstad acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

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

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

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Telstad 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 2–5% (median 2%).
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 Telstad acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Telstad 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 100%

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

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Telstad acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	0.0%
C: slow infiltration	100.0%
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 Telstad (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 788,583 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Telstad components. The profile comes from the single largest Telstad component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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