White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra and Socorro Counties
The most common soil here is Yesum, on about 5% of the land: a gypsiferous very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Bissett and Deama come next.
About 93% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 73% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% 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 28% 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 White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra and Socorro Counties, 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 White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra and Socorro Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mimbres-Chutum-Ybar complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 134K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deama-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 90 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nasa-Yesum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 113K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bissett-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes | 100K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitlock-Pajarito-Nations complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 99K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Talos-Copia-Mcnew complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deama-Penagua-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 90 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Queencreek-Agustin-Stagecoach complex, 0 to 14 percent slopes | 67K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Marconi-Prelo-Fluventic Haplocambids complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aerobee-Slickcity complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pantak-Rock outcrop-Lithic Ustic Torriorthents complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yesum gypsiferous sandy loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Not limited |
| Delnorte-Stagecoach-Turney complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Stagecoach-Delnorte-Riverwash association, 0 to 35 percent slopes complex | 42K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows-Lithic Haplocambids complex, 0 to 45 percent slopes | 42K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Llano-Ratscat complex, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 41K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Campana-Yesum complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes association | 41K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Copia-Wink-Tonuco complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes | 38K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mallet-Kimrose-Stronghold complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 38K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Mcnew-Copia complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 32K | 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 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 73% 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.