McKinley County Area, New Mexico, McKinley County and Parts of Cibola and San Juan Counties
The most common soil here is Vessilla, on about 3% of the land: a gravelly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Parkelei and Shiprock come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 76% 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 57% 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 McKinley County Area, New Mexico, McKinley County and Parts of Cibola and San Juan Counties, 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 McKinley County Area, New Mexico, McKinley County and Parts of Cibola and San Juan Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toldohn-Vessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes | 156K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penistaja-Tintero complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 130K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Norkiki-Kimnoli complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 121K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fajada-Huerfano-Benally complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Notal-Hamburn complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 103K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hospah-Skyvillage-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doak-Shiprock complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 92K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sparank-San Mateo-Zia complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 91K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eagleye-Atchee-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 35 percent slopes | 84K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Razito-Shiprock complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 79K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Westmion-Skyvillage complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes | 79K | Well drained | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Flugle-Fragua complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Marianolake-Skyvillage complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parkelei-Fraguni complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hagerwest-Bond fine sandy loams, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkelei-Evpark fine sandy loams, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Not limited |
| Farb-Chipeta-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 62K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 60K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Evpark-Arabrab complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Celavar-Atarque complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | C | 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 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 76% 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.