Eastern Maricopa and Northern Pinal Counties Area, Arizona
The most common soil here is Gilman, on about 20% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Mohall and Laveen come next.
About 89% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 43% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 20% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Eastern Maricopa and Northern Pinal Counties 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 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 Eastern Maricopa and Northern Pinal Counties 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilman loam | 63K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mohall loam MLRA 40 | 49K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Laveen loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Contine clay loam | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land | 25K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Estrella loam | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Antho sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Avondale clay loam | 10K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Antho gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mohall sandy loam | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Alluvial land | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Laveen clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valencia sandy loam | 8K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gilman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vint loamy fine sand | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Vecont clay | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cavelt gravelly loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Trix clay loam | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pinamt very gravelly loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 43% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.