Chinle Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona, and San Juan County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Arabrab, on about 6% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Vessilla and Aquima come next.
About 82% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% 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 67% 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 Chinle Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona, and San Juan County, New Mexico, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Chinle Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona, and San Juan County, New Mexico. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabrab-Vessilla-Lindrith complex, 1 to 45 percent slopes | 254K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Mido-Zukan complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 137K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquima-Rizno-Begay complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 104K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Monue-Sheppard-Nakai complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 96K | Excessively drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nakai-Somorent family complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 72K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kachina-Evpark family-Gladel family complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 65 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Haplustepts-Jacks family-Pachic Haplustolls complex, 4 to 40 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tsosie-Councelor-Campanile complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Claysprings-Lithic Torriorthents-Typic Torriorthents complex, badlands, 1 to 60 percent slopes | 60K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chromic Haplotorrerts-Gotho complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 59K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquima-Ustic Haplocambids complex, moist, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Monue-Redhouse-Sheppard complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 52K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Sojourn-Aridic Ustorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marcou-Claysprings complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 45K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Begay-Querencia-Rizno complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 42K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tsosie-Councelor-Riverwash complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Councelor-Moclom-Hawaikuh complex, 1 to 60 percent slopes | 40K | Excessively drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Ustic Torriorthents-Begay complex, rocky 1 to 30 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jocity-Tezinie-Nazlini complex, sodic, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very 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 60% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 79% 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.