San Juan County, New Mexico, Eastern Part
The most common soil here is Sheppard, on about 10% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Blancot and Shiprock come next.
About 94% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 58% 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 San Juan County, New Mexico, Eastern Part, 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 San Juan County, New Mexico, Eastern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badland | 247K | Somewhat excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Blancot-Notal association, gently sloping | 225K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rock outcrop-Travessilla-Weska complex, extremely steep | 187K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Huerfano-Notal complex, gently sloping | 180K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fruitland-Persayo-Sheppard complex, hilly | 177K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doak-Sheppard-Shiprock association, rolling | 153K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard-Mayqueen-Shiprock complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 107K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Farb-Persayo-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep | 68K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Weska-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haplargids-Blackston-Torriorthents complex, very steep | 63K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Monierco-Rock outcrop complex, moderately steep | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gypsiorthids-Badland-Stumble complex, moderately steep | 48K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shiprock fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Huerfano-Muff-Uffens complex, gently sloping | 44K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Doak-Avalon association, gently sloping | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Badland-Rock outcrop-Persayo complex, extremely steep | 39K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop | 34K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Riverwash | 32K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Shiprock fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Stumble-Fruitland association, gently sloping | 24K | Well drained | A | Not 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 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.