San Carlos Indian Reservation, Arizona, Parts of Gila and Graham Counties
The most common soil here is Beaumain, on about 5% of the land: a very cobbly clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Cloverdale and Pachic Argiustolls come next.
About 94% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 87% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 69% 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 San Carlos Indian Reservation, Arizona, Parts of Gila and Graham 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 San Carlos Indian Reservation, Arizona, Parts of Gila and Graham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pachic Argiustolls-Dedal-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 125K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kuykendall-Beaumain-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 115K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beaumain-Rock outcrop-Cherrycow complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes MLRA 38 | 78K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Terrarossa-Cloverdale-Blacktail complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents, 3 to 60 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thimble-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eskiminzin and Sontag soils, and rock outcrop, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brolliar-Dedal complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tombstone-Eloma-Pedregosa complex, 5 to 65 percent slopes mlra 38 | 46K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bigtoe-Ryallen-Tombstone complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eloma very gravelly sandy clay loam, 3 to 65 percent slopes mlra 38 | 43K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bylas-Rock outcrop-Frye complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gavilan family-Sponiker complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anezul-Dedal-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Topawa-Rillino-Eba complex, 3 to 50 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Topawa very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop and Ustorthents and haplustolls soils, 40 to 80 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eskiminzin-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 65 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Turquoise-Rock outcrop-Nugget complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Argic Petrocalcids-Rock outcrop-Torriorthents complex, 2 to 60 percent slopes | 32K | 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 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.