Cibola Area, New Mexico, Parts of Cibola, McKinley, and Valencia Counties

Survey Area NM682• New Mexico

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 Cibola Area, New Mexico, Parts of Cibola, McKinley, and Valencia Counties. 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-Vessilla-Mion complex, 3 to 55 percent slopes	149K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cabezon-Montecito-Rock outcrop association, 1 to 10 percent slopes	128K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Flugle-Teco association, 1 to 8 percent slopes	117K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Teco-Atarque association, 1 to 8 percent slopes	112K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Viuda-Penistaja-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes	111K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lava flows	103K		D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Mion complex, 15 to 65 percent slopes	92K		D	Very limited	Very limited
Penistaja fine sandy loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes	82K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Not limited
Sparank-San Mateo complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes	79K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nogal-Galestina sandy loams, 1 to 10 percent slopes	73K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Hagerman-Bond association, 1 to 10 percent slopes	67K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Catman-Silkie association, 1 to 10 percent slopes	65K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Flugle-Goesling loamy fine sands, 1 to 8 percent slopes	65K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Cabezon-Cantina complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes	63K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pinitos-Ribera sandy loams, 1 to 10 percent slopes	60K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Laporte-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes	60K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mespun-Palma association, 1 to 12 percent slopes	58K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Hickman-Catman complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes	55K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Navajo-Suwanee complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes	55K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Celacy-Atarque complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes	54K	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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 70% 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 83% 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.