Anza-Borrego Area, California, Western Part
The most common soil here is Yaquipass, on about 8% of the land. Typic Torriorthents and Lithic Torriorthents come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% 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 72% 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 Anza-Borrego Area, California, Western Part, 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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, Western 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaquipass-Whipple-Rock Outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 60K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yaquipass-Rock Outcrop-Typic Torriorthents complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 49K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplargids and Lithic Haplargids; thermic hills and mountains | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tollhouse-La Posta-Rock outcrop complex, dry, 10 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 33K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Haplocalcids, and Rock outcrop; hyperthermic hills and mountains | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fontspoint-Cahuilla complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes, severely eroded | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Torriorthents, shallow-Xeric Torriorthents-Lithic Xeric Torriorthents complex, 10 to 70 percent slopes | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplocalcids-Lithic Torriorthents complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Torriorthents, shallow-Typic Torriorthents, extremely stony surface complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Friant rocky fine sandy loam, 25 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheephead sandy loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes, eroded, stony | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas-Rizzo complex, rarely flooded, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Torriorthents-Lithic Torripsamments-Typic Torripsamments, shallow complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badlands-Typic Torriorthents, shallow complex, 3 to 70 percent slopes | 10K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Lithic Torriorthents and Ustic Haplargids, shallow; mesic hills and mountains | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tollhouse coarse sandy loam, 5 to 35 percent slopes, eroded, very stony | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tollhouse coarse sandy loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocotillo loamy sand, rarely flooded, 1 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas-Carsitas, occasionally flooded complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Goldrose, occasionally flooded-Carsitas, frequently flooded complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 85% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.