Fort Defiance Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona and McKinley and San Juan Counties, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Parkelei family, on about 6% of the land. Verite and Redlands come next.
About 90% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 56% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 44% 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 Fort Defiance Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona and McKinley and San Juan Counties, 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 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 Fort Defiance Area, Parts of Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona and McKinley and San Juan Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verite-Manuelito complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 219K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penistaja family-Betonnie complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 189K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Plumasano-Parkelei family complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 134K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Evpark-Vessilla-Arabrab complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 132K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinavetes family-Begay complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 131K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Redlands-Monue complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 130K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Notal-Jocity family complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 106K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkelei family, 1 to 8 percent slopes. | 100K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Parkelei family-Arabrab complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Evpark-Arabrab complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zia sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 77K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Kinusta-Strych families-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 75K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Eagleye-Teesto family complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Redlands-Whitecone complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wepo-Ives-Jocity association, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Claysprings family complex, 3 to 60 percent slopes | 58K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Betonnie-Pinavetes family complex, 3 to 10 percent slopes. | 53K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Verite-Rock outcrop-Flutedrock complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rizno-Tekapo family-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Monue complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 48K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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
About 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 56% 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.