Guadalupe County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Pastura, on about 13% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Clovis and Redona come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 66% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% 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 34% 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 Guadalupe 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Guadalupe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jon-Lacoca-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 162K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Clovis association, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 115K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clovis fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 104K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tucumcari-Redona association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 103K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Harvey association, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clovis loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Regnier-Rock outcrop-Lacoca complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clovis-Pastura association, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pastura loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Hagerman-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chispa-Redona association, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Redona-Hilken loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lacoca-San Jon-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winona-Gabaldon complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Regnier-Lacoca-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Harvey-Darvey complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ima-La Lande fine sandy loams, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| La Lande-Chispa complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cardenas-Palma loamy fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Silver-Gabaldon complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 37K | 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 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 66% 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.