Mojave Desert Area, California
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Mojave Desert Area, California.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torriorthents, Torripsamments, and Haplargids; hyperthermic fan piedmonts | 1.8M | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Typic Torriorthents and Typic Haplargids; thermic fan piedmonts | 769K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Haplocalcids, and Rock outcrop; hyperthermic hills and mountains | 694K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Haplargids and Lithic Haplargids; thermic hills and mountains | 365K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torripsamments and Torriorthents; hyperthermic dunes and alluvium | 299K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Torriorthents and Torripsamments; hyperthermic basins | 109K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows and Lithic Haplargids; thermic | 55K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Xeric Torriorthents, Typic Torrifluvents, and Aeric Halaquepts; thermic basins | 23K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sotoran-Gadsden-Kofa complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rositas complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ripley-Holtville complex | 939 | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carrizo association, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 728 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas-Holtville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 566 | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rositas sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 560 | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nonamewash-Badland association, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 454 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Antho fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 429 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Riverbend extremely gravelly coarse sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 364 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rositas-Cibola association, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 349 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 201 | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Riverbend-Carrwash association | 168 | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 26% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 81% 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.