Dona Ana County Area, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Wink, on about 7% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Pintura and Nickel come next.
About 92% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 35% 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 21% 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 Dona Ana County 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 Dona Ana County 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wink-Pintura complex | 188K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wink-Harrisburg association | 144K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Torriorthents association MLRA 42 | 105K | C | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bluepoint-Caliza-Yturbide complex | 96K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Simona-Harrisburg association | 92K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onite-Pajarito association | 92K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Akela-Rock outcrop complex | 88K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berino-Bucklebar association | 81K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tencee-Upton association | 79K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nickel-Upton association | 79K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berino-Pintura complex | 62K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rock outcrop-Argids association | 62K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Motoqua-Rock outcrop association | 59K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onite-Pintura complex | 56K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Dona Ana-Reagan association | 52K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nickel-Badland complex | 50K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Masonfort-Nickel association | 49K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berino-Dona Ana association | 44K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cacique-Cruces association | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aftaden-Rock outcrop association | 42K | 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 35% 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
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.