Yuma-Wellton Area, Parts of Yuma County, Arizona and Imperial County, California
The most common soil here is Ligurta, on about 13% of the land: a extremely gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Indio and Rositas come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 77% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 32% 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 12% 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 Yuma-Wellton Area, Parts of Yuma County, Arizona and Imperial County, California, 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 Yuma-Wellton Area, Parts of Yuma County, Arizona and Imperial County, California. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligurta-Cristobal complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 196K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harqua-Tremant complex | 117K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laposa-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 100K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Indio silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas sand | 65K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Indio-Lagunita-Ripley complex | 55K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tremant-Rositas complex | 51K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Superstition sand | 44K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carrizo very gravelly sand | 43K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holtville clay | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Torriorthents-Torrifluvents complex, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Gadsden clay | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ripley silt loam | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cherioni-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Antho sandy loam | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wellton loamy sand | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Glenbar silty clay loam | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 16K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Kofa clay | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rositas-Ligurta complex | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 77% 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.