Hopi Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties
The most common soil here is Sheppard, on about 16% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Monue and Kydestea come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 61% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 23% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 30% 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 Hopi Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties, 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Hopi Area, Arizona, Parts of Coconino and Navajo Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheppard-Monue complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 260K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kydestea-Zyme-Tonalea complex, 5 to 50 percent slopes | 191K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penistaja-Begay complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 171K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Sheppard loamy sand, 1 to 15 percent slopes MLRA 35 | 105K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Nakai-Monue very fine sandy loams, | 78K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tewa very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Torriorthents complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 69K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Jeddito loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Jocity fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Torriorthents, 10 to 35 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ustic Torriorthents, 10 to 35 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Mido-Begay complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 40K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mido fine sand, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 38K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Torriorthents complex, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 28K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cannonville clay loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Polacca clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Monue very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wepo clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Strych-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | 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 23% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 61% 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.