Socorro County Area, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Harvey, on about 5% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Turney and Nickel come next.
About 96% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 58% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 51% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 37% 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 Socorro 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 51% 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 58% 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.