Lea County, New Mexico

Survey Area NM025• New Mexico

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 Lea 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
Kimbrough-Lea complex, dry, 0 to 3 percent slopes	571K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pyote and Maljamar fine sands	344K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Not limited
Kimbrough gravelly loam, dry, 0 to 3 percent slopes	177K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kermit soils and Dune land, 0 to 12 percent slopes	142K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Kimbrough-Lea complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	139K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pyote soils and Dune land	88K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Berino-Cacique loamy fine sands association	86K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Simona-Upton association	77K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kermit-Palomas fine sands, 0 to 12 percent slopes	75K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Simona fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	75K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Stegall loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	60K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Portales-Stegall loams	51K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Tonuco loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	50K	Excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ratliff-Wink fine sandy loams	49K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Kimbrough gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	45K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Brownfield and Patricia fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes	41K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Lea loam	40K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Jalmar-Elida complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Pyote loamy fine sand	38K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
Amarillo loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat 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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 51% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include soil stability or depth limitations. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 69% 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.