Safford Area, Arizona
The most common soil here is Gila, on about 14% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Pinaleno and Anthony come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 19% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Safford Area, 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 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 Safford Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony and Gila gravelly sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 13K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Pinaleno-Continental gravelly sandy loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grabe clay loam | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Continental-Pinaleno complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gila and Glendale soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gila loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gravelly alluvial land | 10K | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Continental-Gila gravelly sandy loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grabe loam | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cave-Pinaleno complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pinaleno gravelly loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pima clay loam | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinaleno-Bitter Spring complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pinaleno-Cave complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arizo gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graham extremely rocky clay loam, 2 to 40 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tres Hermanos-Bitter Spring gravelly sandy loams, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bitter Spring gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cave gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | 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 65% 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 57% 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.