Luna County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Mohave, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Hondale and Stellar come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 49% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 17% 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 Luna 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 Luna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohave sandy clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 167K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hondale-Mimbres complex | 154K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stellar silty clay loam | 145K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mimbres and Verhalen soils | 117K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken and Rock land | 102K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Upton gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes | 97K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bluepoint-Onite association | 86K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pintura-Berino complex, eroded | 85K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lehmans extremely rocky loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nickel very gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Berino and Mohave soils | 65K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lehmans very rocky loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hondale-Bluepoint association | 54K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nickel-Tres Hermanos complex | 42K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Eba very gravelly clay loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hondale loam | 34K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Simona loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Turney-Dona Ana association | 33K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tres Hermanos gravelly loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stony land | 29K | Well drained | 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 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.