Madera Area, California
The most common soil here is Ahwahnee, on about 10% of the land: a coarse sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Vista and San Joaquin come next.
About 65% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 35% 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 Madera 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 Madera 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahwahnee and Vista rocky coarse sandy loams, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 98K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Joaquin sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 61K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cometa sandy loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Vista rocky coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fresno and El Peco fine sandy loams, strongly saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coarsegold loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Vista coarse sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tujunga loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hanford (ripperdan) fine sandy loam, moderately deep and deep over silt, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Auberry rocky coarse sandy loams, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madera fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ramona sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Auberry rocky coarse sandy loams, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daulton fine sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Vista very rocky coarse sandy loams, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grangeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahwahnee and Auberry coarse sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slope | 12K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grangeville fine sandy loam, over traver soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Daulton loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 72% 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 92% 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.