Santa Fe County Area, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Hyer, on about 3% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Arojomil and Penistaja family come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 49% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 24% 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 Santa Fe County Area, New Mexico, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Santa Fe County Area, New Mexico. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyer-Witt complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arojomil-Tapia complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kech-Cerropelon-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 50 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Panky loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cerrillos-Sedillo complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uva-Herrada complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cumacho fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tanoan-Encantado complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lazarus silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, flooded | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ojito-Koshare-Quarteles complex, 5 to 50 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Truehill extremely gravelly loam, 25 to 55 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Nala complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Khapo sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Encantado very cobbly sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernal-Cueva complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clovis loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Enmedio-Atalaya-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sipapu-Yuzarra-Kachina complex, 5 to 65 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pedregal very cobbly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harvey loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.