Cabezon Area, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Penistaja, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Persayo and Berent come next.
About 73% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 60% 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 Cabezon Area, New Mexico, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Cabezon Area, New Mexico. 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-Travessilla-Persayo association | 78K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Penistaja fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Berent-Sandstone outcrop association | 26K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Persayo-Billings association | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Litle-Persayo association | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Christianburg clay and Gullied land | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Las Lucas-Persayo association | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Basalt outcrop-Cabezon association | 14K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Alkali alluvial land | 13K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Penistaja-Sandstone outcrop association | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Fruitland sandy loam | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Billings silty clay loam and Gullied land | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Billings silty clay loam, Alkali, and Gullied land | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berent loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ravola silty clay loam, alkali, and gullied land | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Badlands | 7K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Penistaja-Berent association | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Las Lucas loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fruitland-Slickspot association | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Navajo clay and Gullied land | 6K | Well drained | 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 61% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.