The most common locations to find saline soils are in the eastern and central part of Montana and in poorly drained areas north of the Missouri River. Naturally saline soils are found along many stream terraces and bottoms, while saline seeps can be found throughout most of the glaciated plains region. Sodic soils are unlike saline soils, although they occur in many of the same locations and can form together. Sodic soils are most common in eastern and north central Montana and along irrigated flood plains of many rivers. Saline soils contain excess soluble salts, which make it difficult for plants to take up water and nutrients.
Saline soil causes spotty bare areas in a crop field, due to poor emergence.
In severe cases, the soil will have a white residue at the surface. Irrigated saline soils can be improved by leaching and good drainage. Dryland saline seep areas can be reclaimed by planting deep-rooted perennials such as alfalfa, sweet clover, and grasses in the recharge areas. Sodic soils generally occur as localized pan spots. The subsoil of sodic soils is usually very compact, moist, and sticky and is composed of soil columns with rounded caps.