Imperial County, California, Imperial Valley Area
The most common soil here is Rositas, on about 25% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Imperial and Glenbar come next.
About 41% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 28% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Imperial County, California, Imperial Valley Area, 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 poorly 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 Imperial County, California, Imperial Valley Area. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial-Glenbar silty clay loams complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, wet | 208K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Imperial silty clay, wet | 124K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 90K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 78K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holtville silty clay, wet | 73K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Meloland very fine sandy loam, wet | 43K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 41K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vint loamy very fine sand, wet | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Indio-Vint complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, wet | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rositas sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas fine sand, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vint and Indio very fine sandy loams undifferentiated group, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Wet | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Indio loam, wet | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Superstition loamy fine sand | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Glenbar loam | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vint fine sandy loam | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Meloland-Holtville 0 to 2 percent slopes, wet | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas-Superstition loamy fine sands | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Meloland fine sand | 11K | Well drained | C | 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 28% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.