Beaver Creek Area, Arizona
The most common soil here is Springerville, on about 27% of the land: a stony silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Brolliar and Retriever come next.
About 77% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 34% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Beaver Creek Area, Arizona, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Beaver Creek Area, Arizona. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springerville very stony clay, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brolliar stony clay loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Retriever very stony loam, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springerville very stony clay, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stony very steep land, basalt | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Stony steep land, basalt | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Retriever very stony loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Siesta stony silt loam | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brolliar silt loam, deep | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springerville very stony clay, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stony rough land, basalt and cinders | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Brolliar very stony loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land-Springerville complex | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sandstone rock land | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Brolliar stony clay loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken and stony land, limestone | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Karro and laveen fine sandy loams | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sponseller stony silt loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Siesta silt loam, deep | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gem clay loam | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 67% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.