The soil survey is designed for many different users. Ranchers, farmers, foresters, and agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management needed for maximum production. Planners, community officials, engineers, developers, builders and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sites for construction , and identify special practices needed to insure proper performance. Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlife management, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help them understand, protect, and enchantment the environment. Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances.
Some soils are seasonally wet or subject to flooding.
Some are shallow to bedrock or spodic horizons. Some are too unstable to be used in a foundation for buildings or roads. Other soils that are high dry sandy soils may only be suited to certain forage varieties with deep rooting systems or to only native ranges. These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in the soil survey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soils map.