San Bernardino County, California, Mojave River Area
The most common soil here is Cajon, on about 22% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Bryman and Helendale come next.
About 77% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 72% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 45% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 17% 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 San Bernardino County, California, Mojave River 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 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 San Bernardino County, California, Mojave River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAJON SAND, 2 TO 9 PERCENT SLOPES | 117K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| ROCK OUTCROP-LITHIC TORRIORTHENTS COMPLEX, 15 TO 50 PERCENT SLOPES* | 113K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| CAJON-ARIZO COMPLEX, 2 TO 15 PERCENT SLOPES* | 66K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| CAJON GRAVELLY SAND, 2 TO 15 PERCENT SLOPES | 59K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| CAJON SAND, 0 TO 2 PERCENT SLOPES | 46K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| MIRAGE-JOSHUA COMPLEX, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES* | 44K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| HELENDALE-BRYMAN LOAMY SANDS, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES* | 44K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| SPARKHULE-ROCK OUTCROP COMPLEX, 15 TO 50 PERCENT SLOPES* | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| NOROB-HALLORAN COMPLEX, 0 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES* | 42K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| BRYMAN LOAMY FINE SAND, 0 TO 2 PERCENT SLOPES | 38K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| NEBONA-CUDDEBACK COMPLEX, 2 TO 9 PERCENT SLOPES* | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| MANET COARSE SAND, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES | 29K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| CAJON LOAMY SAND, LOAMY SUBSTRATUM, 0 TO 2 PERCENT SLOPES | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| BRYMAN LOAMY FINE SAND, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| MIRAGE SANDY LOAM, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES* | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| HALLORAN SANDY LOAM | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| GULLIED LAND-HAPLOXERALFS ASSOCIATION | 20K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| PLAYAS | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| HESPERIA LOAMY FINE SAND, 2 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES | 19K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| YERMO-KIMBERLINA, COOL, ASSOCIATION, SLOPING* | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 72% 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.