Surprise soils have cambic horizons predominantly of gravelly sandy loam. These soils were formed under wetter conditions than those that exist today. The water table normally fluctuated below 36 inches but in some places where the soil is artificially drained it is below a depth of 60 inches. These soils are used mainly for irrigated cropland or is pastured. Alfalfa and small grains grown in rotation are the principal crops, and some is in improved pasture.
Native meadows are primarily of sedges, grasses and native clover.
These soils are in northeastern California. The extent is moderate. Honey Lake Area, Lassen County, California, 1915. Buntingville soils were formerly classified as Humic Gley soils. The type location was moved from Honey Lake Valley Area, Lassen County to Modoc County, California.