Gila-Duncan Area, Parts of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Arizona
The most common soil here is Limpia, on about 8% of the land: a very cobbly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Graham and Pinaleno come next.
About 91% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 77% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% 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 46% 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 Gila-Duncan Area, Parts of Graham and Greenlee Counties, 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 Gila-Duncan Area, Parts of Graham and Greenlee Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limpia-Graham-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 50 percent slopes | 143K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Atascosa-Graham complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 94K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tres Hermanos-Continental-Nickel complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Haplargids-Torriorthents complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes* | 42K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Peloncillo-Orthents-Pinaleno complex, 20 to 90 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Fallsam-Cabezon-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 70 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Luzena complex, 20 to 90 percent slopes | 32K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Tapco-Peloncillo association, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pinaleno very cobbly loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Signal very cobbly clay loam, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Akela-Lehmans-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonita very cobbly silty clay, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Mokiak complex, 20 to 90 percent slopes | 14K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Wampoo gravelly loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinaleno-Whitlock-Tres Hermanos complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glendale-Gila complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, severely eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sonoita-Bucklebar complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Torrifluvents-Riverwash complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes* | 12K | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Eloma-Alsco complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peloncillo extremely cobbly sandy clay loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | 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 61% 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 77% 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.