The Pacific Northwest Soil Survey Regional Office, located in Portland, OR, provides soil data quality assurance, technical guidance, and field assistance to soil scientists as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). The SSR 1 area of responsibility is based on Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA). It includes the forests and croplands of western Oregon and Washington, the wheat and range lands of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and all of Alaska. SSR 1 is subdivided into management areas. Local MLRA Soil Survey Offices coordinate soil survey activities within each area.
SSR 1 Soil Surveys
Status Mapsinclude the official name, ID number, and publication status for each soil survey area.
Web Soil Survey
The official soils information is stored in digital format and is accessible through the Web Soil Survey. Explore seamless soils data. View, download, and print custom maps, reports, and interpretations based on your area of interest.
Other Soil Survey Formats
Hard-copy soil survey reports provide a snapshot of the soils information at the time of publication. This information becomes dated over time, and those seeking the most current data should access the official data from Web Soil Survey. For archival purposes, many hard-copy reports have been scanned and are available on CD-ROM. A complete list of the soil survey products and formats is available for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. A nationwide list is available from the List of Soil Surveys by State.
Technical Soil Services
Soils information is central to NRCS conservation planning. Technical Soil Services staff in each state assist customers and cooperators with the interpretation and application of soil data. Follow the links below to the Technical Soil Services providers for each state:
A Soil Scientist's Perspective
A visual tour, set to music, of field work with an Idaho NRCS Soil Scientist. Filmed in eastern Idaho.
Smithsonian Institution Soils Exhibit
Discover the amazing world of soils with images and information from the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This exhibit was on display at the Museum from July 18, 2008 through Jan 10, 2010.
Soils Apps for iPhone and Droid
NRCS has numerous websites and mobile applications that are rich in data on soils, water, air, energy, and other natural resources.
