Cochise County, Arizona, Douglas-Tombstone Part
The most common soil here is Sasabe, on about 5% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Forrest and Blakeney come next.
About 95% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 Cochise County, Arizona, Douglas-Tombstone Part, 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Cochise County, Arizona, Douglas-Tombstone Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtland-Sasabe-Diaspar complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 112K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Outlaw-Epitaph-Paramore complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blakeney-Luckyhills complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Libby-Gulch complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eloma-Caralampi-White House complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Riveroad and Ubik soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guest-Riveroad association, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonita-Forrest complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cherrycow-Magoffin-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes | 38K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luckyhills-McNeal complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mabray-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 45 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brunkcow-Chiricahua-Lampshire complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nolam-Libby-Buntline complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sutherland-Mule complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sasabe complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Budlamp-Woodcutter complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Altar-Mallet complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Major complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mallet-Hooks complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Forrest clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | 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 56% 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 86% 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.