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Soil Surveys: Survey Resources

This guide provides information about soil surveys, a series of publications produced by the US Department of Agriculture from 1899 to around 2005.

About the Soil Surveys

Printed soil surveys were the main source of soils information in the United States from 1900 to 2005. These publications were produced by various bureaus within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They offer a unique view of local areas, often documenting the same areas over time. 

Soil surveys are useful to students and practitioners in various disciplines including agriculture, engineering, and planning. They are also useful for historians, local government officials, and even genealogists who may be interested in family homesteads.

Historic Soil Surveys

Surveys produced from 1899 to approximately 2010 are part of the Government Information Collection at USU Libraries. 

Current Survey Data

The Web Soil Survey compiles current data for locations across the United States. 

Information about the Soil Surveys

Utah Surveys

Looking for Utah soil surveys? Explore the historic publications through a timeline or map

Need help accessing the surveys?

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Jen Kirk
Contact:
Merril-Cazier Library, Lower Level, Room 012
jen.kirk@usu.edu
(435) 797-8033

Author Acknowledgement

The resources on this guide were identified and developed as part of a collaborative project between librarians at Utah State University Libraries (USU) and Penn State University Libraries (Penn State). 

Guide contributors include: 

  • Helen Smith (Penn State)
  • Jen Kirk (USU)
  • Sandra Weingart (USU)
  • Anne Hedrich (USU)