Eastern Fresno Area, California
The most common soil here is Hesperia, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hanford and San Joaquin come next.
About 75% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Eastern Fresno Area, 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Eastern Fresno Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 39K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hanford fine sandy loam | 30K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hanford sandy loam | 29K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hanford sandy loam, silty substratum | 27K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hesperia sandy loam, deep | 26K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hesperia fine sandy loam, deep | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hesperia sandy loam, very deep | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hesperia fine sandy loam, very deep | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| San Joaquin loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Calhi loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grangeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, shallow, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fresno fine sandy loam | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tujunga loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merced clay, slightly saline | 14K | Very poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Auberry very rocky coarse sandy loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Exeter sandy loam | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin loam, shallow, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hesperia fine sandy loam, deep, saline-sodic | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat 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 59% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.