Sandoval County Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba Counties

Survey Area NM656• New Mexico

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 44% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 41% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.