Sandoval County Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba Counties
The most common soil here is Sandoval, on about 6% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Zia and Pinavetes come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 67% 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 38% 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 Sandoval County Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba 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 Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Sandoval County Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zia-Skyvillage-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 65K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blancot-Councelor-Tsosie association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Not limited |
| Sandoval fine sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zia-Clovis association, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Harvey-Cascajo association, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pinavetes-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 32K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop | 31K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Vessilla-Menefee-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vessilla-Menefee-Orlie association, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Zia complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Clovis fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sandoval-Poley complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinavetes loamy sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grieta-Sheppard loamy fine sands, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Sheppard loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Orlie-Sparham association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montecito complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Querencia loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Grieta fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Querencia-Zia complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 67% 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.