Shiprock Area, Parts of San Juan County, New Mexico and Apache County, Arizona
The most common soil here is Sogzie, on about 5% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Persayo and Kimbeto come next.
About 93% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% 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 55% 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 Shiprock Area, Parts of San Juan County, New Mexico and Apache County, Arizona, 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 Shiprock Area, Parts of San Juan County, New Mexico and Apache County, Arizona. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littlehat-Persayo-Nataani complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Persayo-Fordbutte association, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sogzie-Aneth association, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 76K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arches-Kitsili-Mido complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes | 64K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littlehat-Persayo-Badland complex, 3 to 45 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimbeto loamy fine sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sogzie loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ravola very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Rizno complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 40K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Farb-Rock outcrop-Badland complex, 2 to 25 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denazar-Farb fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 40K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Millett-Blanding-Strych association, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ligai-Pastorpeak-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 95 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sheppard loamy fine sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes, hummocky | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kimbeto-Huerfano complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jeddito loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Camac-Kimbeto-Badland association, 0 to 50 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Needle complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 24K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Iwela-Nomrah-Vosburg complex, 1 to 40 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blanding very fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | 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 67% 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 74% 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.