Alamosa Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Hooper, on about 14% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Gunbarrel and Mosca come next.
About 48% of the land drains well, and 35% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 40% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Alamosa Area, Colorado, 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Alamosa Area, Colorado. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunbarrel loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hooper loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mosca loamy sand | 28K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Space City loamy fine sand, alkali substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Corlett-Hooper complex, undulating | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| San Luis sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cotopaxi sand, hilly | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hooper clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| McGinty sandy loam | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| San Arcacio sandy loam | 11K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laney loam | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mount Home-Saguache cobbly sandy loams, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uracca very cobbly loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gunbarrel loamy sand, saline | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hapney loam | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Alamosa loam | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Space City-Hooper complex, hilly | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Costilla loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Space City loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vastine loam | 7K | Poorly drained | C | 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 40% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.