Soil survey area

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Arizona, Parts of Apache, Coconino, Greenlee, and Navajo Counties

Survey Area AZ691• Arizona

The short version

The most common soil here is Lithic Argiustolls, on about 27% of the land. Vertic Haplustalfs and Typic Haplustolls come next.

About all of the land drains well.

USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 97% of it.

Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.

The biggest mapped areas

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Arizona, Parts of Apache, Coconino, Greenlee, and Navajo Counties. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Lithic Argiustolls, Typic Haplustolls, and Vitrandic Haplustolls; cool mesic ustic mountains	478K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pachic Argiustolls, Typic Haplustalfs, and Lithic Haplustepts; cool mesic ustic mountains	440K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lithic Argiustolls, Typic Haplustolls, and Aridic Calciustolls; warm mesic ustic mountains	426K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Vertic Haplustalfs, Vertic Paleustalfs, and Typic Argiustolls; cool mesic ustic plateaus	377K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vertic Haplustalfs, Aridic Haplustalfs, and Lithic Argiustolls; warm mesic aridic fan remnants and hills	222K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lithic Argiustolls, Cumulic Haplustolls, rarely flooded, and Typic Ustorthents; warm mesic ustic mountains	54K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ustic Haplocalcids, Ustic Haplargids, and Typic Torriorthents; cool thermic aridic fan remnants and basins	42K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Ustic Haplocalcids, Ustic Haplocambids, rarely flooded, and Typic Torripsamments, rarely flooded; cool thermic aridic alluvial fans	13K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Springerville-Retsover complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Theecan-Verite complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Theecan-Zeniff-Telephone complex, 0 to 50 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Vertic Argiustolls complex, very cindery, 0 to 20 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pachic Argiustolls-Sponiker complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, very rarely flooded	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Disterheff family loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Disterheff family silt loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Oxyaquic Vertic Haplustalfs, Disterheff family, and Aquertic Haplustolls, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	1K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Disterheff family-Dedal complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	936	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Aridic Argiustolls, Cumulic Haplustolls, rarely flooded, and Aridic Ustifluvents, rarely flooded; cool mesic ustic hills and fans	913	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Vertic Argiustolls-Typic Argiustolls-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes	394	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	348		D	Not rated	Not rated

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.