De Baca County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Berwolf, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Chispa and Kolar come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 45% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 27% 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 De Baca County, 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 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 De Baca County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chispa-Armesa-Redona association, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 125K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kolar-Neso-Pojo complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 120K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holloman-Reeves complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 97K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reeves-Holloman association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 81K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chispa-Redona association, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 81K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berwolf loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Poquita very fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berwolf-Chispa-Armesa association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Regnier-Latom-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pojo-Kolar loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Neso-Kolar association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Darvey association, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 47K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berwolf-Roswell association, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Redona-Armesa association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Chispa-Los Tanos fine sandy loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tucumcari-Redona association, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kolar-Chispa-Neso association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chispa-Gallen association, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roswell-Berwolf association, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ustifluvents, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A/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 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 57% 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.