Navajo Mountain Area, Arizona, Parts of Apache, Coconino and Navajo Counties
The most common soil here is Mespun, on about 9% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Sheppard and Nalcase come next.
About 74% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 45% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 31% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 72% 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 Navajo Mountain Area, Arizona, Parts of Apache, 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 Excessively 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 Navajo Mountain Area, Arizona, Parts of Apache, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Mathis-Nalcase complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes | 217K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Santrick-Nalcase-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 204K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Needle-Lithic Torriorthents complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 169K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Arabrab-Vessilla-Lindrith complex, 1 to 45 percent slopes | 160K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denazar-Sheppard-Lithic Torriorthents complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes | 157K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pinepoint-Parkwash-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 153K | D | Not rated | Very limited | |
| Ustic Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 65 percent slopes | 146K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Needle-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 133K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mespun-Nalcase-Bispen complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 133K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Mespun-Councelor-Mespun, limy substratum complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 133K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Mespun-Bispen-Rock outcrop complex, moist, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 122K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Gotho-Aneth family complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mespun-Rock outcrop-Nalcase complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 93K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Sheppard-Massadona-Monue complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 82K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Mido-Mido, loamy substratum complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 61K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Councelor-Moclom-Hawaikuh complex, 1 to 60 percent slopes | 53K | Excessively drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mespun-Santrick-Rock outcrop complex, mormon ridges, 2 to 40 percent slopes | 49K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Typic Torriorthents-Needle-Moenkopie family complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Mido-Zukan complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aridic Ustorthents-Royosa-Plumasano complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 29K | Excessively 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 31% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 45% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.