Cibola Area, New Mexico, Parts of Cibola, McKinley, and Valencia Counties
The most common soil here is Penistaja, on about 5% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Flugle and Teco come next.
About 92% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 71% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 61% 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 Cibola Area, New Mexico, Parts of Cibola, McKinley, and Valencia Counties, 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 71% 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 84% 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.