Union County, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Travessilla, on about 10% of the land: a stony sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Gruver and Spurlock come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 36% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Union County, 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Union County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 227K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Travessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 165K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torreon silty clay loam | 157K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gruver loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 144K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Spurlock loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 119K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ayon-Apache association | 114K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gruver loam, cool, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dallam fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kim-Manzano association | 78K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| La Brier silty clay loam | 73K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spurlock-Plack loams, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rickmore sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vingo-Dallam complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 57K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Carnero-Onava-Porvenir complex, plateau margins - MLRA 70A.1 | 55K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capulin-Apache complex | 55K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Onava-Carnero-Porvenir complex, plateau interfluves - MLRA 70A.1 | 53K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dallam loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manzano loam | 43K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Porvenir-Carnero-Rock outcrop complex, plateau margins- MLRA 70A.1 | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spurlock loamy sand, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 38K | 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 36% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 69% 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.