Anza-Borrego Area, California, Eastern Part
The most common soil here is Torriorthents, on about 23% of the land. Torripsamments and Haplargids come next.
About 90% of the land drains well.
USDA rates all 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 27% 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 biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat 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 Anza-Borrego Area, California, Eastern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torriorthents, Torripsamments, and Haplargids; hyperthermic fan piedmonts | 199K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Haplocalcids, and Rock outcrop; hyperthermic hills and mountains | 64K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents and Torripsamments; hyperthermic basins | 35K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Yaquipass-Rock Outcrop-Typic Torriorthents complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badlands-Fontspoint complex, 1 to 70 percent slopes, eroded | 22K | Not rated | Very limited | ||
| Meloland fine sand | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Badlands-Typic Torriorthents, shallow complex, 3 to 70 percent slopes | 17K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Imperial-Glenbar silty clay loams complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Torripsamments and Torriorthents; hyperthermic dunes and alluvium | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vint and Indio very fine sandy loams undifferentiated group, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Wet | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Typic Torriorthents, shallow-Typic Torriorthents, extremely stony surface complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Indio-Vint complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Glenbar loam | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplargids and Lithic Haplargids; thermic hills and mountains | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yaquipass-Whipple-Rock Outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fontspoint-Cahuilla complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplocambids-Lithic Haplocalcids complex, 5 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calcic Petrocalcids-Typic Haplocalcids complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas gravelly sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | 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 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 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
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.