Cochise County, Arizona, Northwestern Part

Survey Area AZ666• Arizona

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 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, Northwestern 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
Calcigypsids-Contention-Redo complex, chihuahuan, 5 to 45 percent slopes	38K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Stronghold-McAllister-Elgin complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes	34K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pedregosa-Tombstone complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Tombstone-Stronghold complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Nolam-Stronghold complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Magoffin-Budlamp-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 70 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Romero-Nodman-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Budlamp-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 70 percent slope	20K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Stagecoach-Pinaleno complex, sonoran, 15 to 60 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Blakeney family-Luckyhills complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Courtland-Sasabe-Diaspar complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Terrarossa-Blacktail complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Mabray-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 70 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kuykendall-Cherrycow-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cherrycow-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Carbine-Hathaway complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Stagecoach-Whitlock-Delnorte complex, chihuahuan, 5 to 20 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Libby-Gulch complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Guest silty clay, 0 to 5 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Deloro-Andrada complex, 5 to 35 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	D	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Vertisols

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

Mollisols

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

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 77% 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 96% 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.