Harding County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Springer, on about 6% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Campus and Travessilla come next.
About 89% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 67% 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 24% 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 Harding 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Harding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough broken and stony land | 119K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Springer-Amarillo association | 95K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vingo-Dallam complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dioxice loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tivoli fine sand | 47K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla stony loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam | 39K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berthoud loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Travessilla stony loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springer loamy fine sand, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| La Brier loam | 34K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dumas loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Carnero-Onava-Porvenir complex, plateau margins - MLRA 70A.1 | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tucumcari-Quay association | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ima and Quay soils | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kinkead clay loam | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mansker-Portales association, gently sloping | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dean soils, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gallegos very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Litle clay loam, interfluve shoulders - MLRA 70A.1 | 20K | Well drained | D | Somewhat 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 67% 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.