Chaves County, New Mexico, Northern Part
The most common soil here is Faskin, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Ector and Roswell come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 49% 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: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Chaves County, New Mexico, Northern Part, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Chaves County, New Mexico, Northern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faskin fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 138K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ratliff-Redona association, gently undulating | 133K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roswell-Jalmar fine sands, hilly | 120K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hollomex, moist-Milner-Reeves, moist loams, moderately undulating | 108K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hollomex-Reeves-Milner, dry loams, gently undulating | 68K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blakeney-Ratliff association, moderately undulating | 65K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ector very cobbly loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sotim-Simona association, moderately undulating | 50K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ector very cobbly loam, dry, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faskin-Roswell complex, hummocky | 48K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alama-Poquita association, nearly level | 48K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jalmar-Roswell-Pyote association, moderately undulating | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Redona-Canez association, gently undulating | 41K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tucumcari clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Darvey association, moderately undulating | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Redona-Canez association, loam surface, gently undulating | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Deama-Darvey-Rock outcrop association, moderately rolling | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reeves, moist-Milner-Hollomex, moist association, gently undulating | 30K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarose-Douro loamy fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ector-Rock outcrop complex, dry, hilly | 29K | 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 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 49% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.