Hidalgo County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Lehmans, on about 15% of the land: a gravelly clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Nickel and Mohave come next.
About 82% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 90% 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: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 33% 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 Hidalgo 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Hidalgo 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 land and Rock land | 303K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Lehmans extremely rocky loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 213K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nickel gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 129K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Upton gravelly loam, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 127K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mohave sandy clay loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 122K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock land | 113K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eba very gravelly loam, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 98K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stellar sandy clay loam | 89K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hondale soils | 83K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tres Hermanos gravelly clay loam | 64K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sonoita-Yturbide complex | 47K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Forrest gravelly loam | 45K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lehmans-Nickel association, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jal loam | 40K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Verhalen silty clay loam | 37K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 37K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Mimbres and Glendale silty clay loams | 34K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eba-Nickel complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berino loamy sand, hummocky | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mohave sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | 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 57% 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 90% 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.