Otero County, Colorado
The most common soil here is Manvel, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Minnequa and Penrose come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 59% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 30% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 40% 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 Otero County, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Otero County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnequa-Manvel silt loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes, dry | 119K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manvel silt loam, dry, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Penrose channery loam, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tyrone silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Manzanola silty clay loam, dry, saline, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fort loam, dry, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kimera-Fort loams, dry, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vonid sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes, dry | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Travessilla sandy loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minnequa-Wilid silt loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Razor silty clay, dry, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minnequa loam, dry, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shingle loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimera loam, dry, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oterodry sandy loam, dry, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olney sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, dry | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Rocky Ford silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valent sand, 1 to 12 percent slopes, dry | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Limon silty clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well 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 30% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 59% 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.