Fresno County, California, Western Part

Survey Area CA653• California

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 Fresno County, 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
Cerini clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	81K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tranquillity-Tranquillity, wet, complex, saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes	63K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Calflax clay loam, saline-sodic, wet, 0 to 1 percent slopes, MLRA 17	56K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tranquillity clay, saline-sodic, wet, 0 to 1 percent slopes	55K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ciervo clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes	51K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ciervo, wet-Ciervo complex, saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes	46K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Currymountain-Wisflat-Borreguero association, 30 to 75 percent slopes	40K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tachi clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes	31K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Grazer-Wisflat-Arburua association, 8 to 50 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Excelsior sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17	30K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Panoche clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	28K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Westhaven loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Roacha-Millsholm-Lilten association, 30 to 65 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Westhaven clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Polvadero-Guijarral complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Excelsior sandy loam, sandy substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Wekoda clay, partially drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	20K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Exclose-Wisflat-Grazer association, 15 to 65 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Armona loam, partially drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	18K	Poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Altamont-Roacha-Borreguero association, 15 to 50 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	D	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.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, 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

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.