Graham County, Arizona, Southwestern Part
The most common soil here is Sasabe, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Eloma and Cloverdale come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 94% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Graham County, Arizona, Southwestern 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Graham County, Arizona, Southwestern 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sasabe sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beaumain-Cherrycow-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eloma-Tombstone-White House complex, 3 to 50 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eloma-Kimrose-Saddlebrook complex, 1 to 60 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Contention family-Whitecliff family-Sasabe complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mallet-Hooks complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Cloverdale cobbly clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eloma-Eskiminzin-Cammerman-Holguin complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sasabe-Bonita-Forrest complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| White House-Eskiminzin-Pedregosa complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pantak-Leyte-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Budlamp-Magoffin complex, 5 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delnorte-Nahda complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brewster-Aravaipa-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ubik-Riveroad complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deloro-Schrap-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beaumain-Rock outcrop-Cherrycow complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes MLRA 38 | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graham-Paramore-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graham-Lampshire-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustifluventic Haplocambids, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | 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 94% 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 94% 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.