Riverside County, Coachella Valley Area, California
The most common soil here is Carsitas, on about 21% of the land: a gravelly sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Myoma and Gilman come next.
About 66% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 44% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 31% 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 Riverside County, Coachella Valley 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 Somewhat excessively 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 Riverside County, Coachella Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop | 94K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Carsitas gravelly sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 62K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Myoma fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 46K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas cobbly sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 35K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Myoma fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carsitas fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Badland | 23K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Gilman fine sandy loam, wet, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Indio very fine sandy loam, wet | 19K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Carrizo stony sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lithic Torripsamments-Rock outcrop complex | 12K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coachella fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rubble land | 10K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Omstott-Rock outcrop complex | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldenhills-Bulletproof-Fanhill-Whiterobe complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salton silty clay loam | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Indio very fine sandy loam | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Coachella fine sand, wet, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rock outcrop-Lithic Torripsamments complex | 7K | 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 44% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.