Socorro County Area, New Mexico

Survey Area NM664• New Mexico

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Socorro 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
Nickel-Caliza very gravelly sandy loams, 1 to 30 percent slopes	203K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Whitlock-Pajarito-Nations complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes	115K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Not limited
Millett-Sedillo complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes	114K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Abrazo-Motoqua, cool-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes	91K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nolam gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes	76K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Not limited
Harvey-La Fonda association, 1 to 9 percent slopes	74K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Puertecito-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 55 percent slopes	69K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Harvey-Dean association, 1 to 9 percent slopes	63K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Cascajo very gravelly sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes	63K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Bluepoint loamy fine sand, 1 to 9 percent slopes	60K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Lapdun-Datil association, 5 to 30 percent slopes	59K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Lithic Haplocambids-Lava flows-Armendaris complex, 0 to 65 percent slopes	58K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Turney loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	55K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Deama-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 40 percent slopes	54K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Guy-Dioxice-Pena association, 1 to 8 percent slopes	52K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Turney loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes	51K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Puice-Tanbark-Harvey association, 1 to 25 percent slopes	51K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Berino-Dona Ana association, 1 to 5 percent slopes	50K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Winona-Tanbark-La Fonda complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes	49K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Clovis-Penistaja association, 1 to 10 percent slopes	46K	Well drained	B	Somewhat 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.

Aridisols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 33% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 47% 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.