San Simon Area Parts of Cochise Graham and Greenlee Counties, Arizona
The most common soil here is Tres Hermanos, on about 9% of the land: a gravelly sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Tubac and Atascosa come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 76% 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: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 Simon Area Parts of Cochise Graham and Greenlee Counties, 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 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 San Simon Area Parts of Cochise Graham and Greenlee Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tres Hermanos gravelly loam | 115K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Atascosa-Graham-Rock outcrop complex | 106K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atascosa-Chiricahua-Rock outcrop complex | 72K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graham-Rock outcrop complex | 66K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Continental-Tubac complex | 59K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sonoita gravelly sandy loam | 51K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pima-Grabe association | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tubac soils | 49K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eba gravelly sandy loam | 46K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Comoro soils | 40K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| White House-Forrest association | 39K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Artesia cobbly fine sandy loam | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Signal gravelly loam | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hondale complex | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glendale-Gila complex, eroded | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mokiak-Faraway-Rock outcrop complex | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anthony-Gila complex | 28K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tubac-Sonoita complex | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bluepoint-Gothard complex | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cave-Durorthids complex | 23K | Well drained | D | Not 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 76% 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.