Luna County, New Mexico
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 51% 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 93% 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.