White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
The dominant drainage class is Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 National Monument, New Mexico.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salago-Llano complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Astrobee-Lark association, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lark-Transformer association, 0 to 90 percent slopes, duneland | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lark association, 5 to 90 percent slopes, duneland | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corvus-Peligro-Nasa complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mimbres-Chutum-Ybar complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salago-Sabkha association, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lacarreta-Salago-Ratscat complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Llano-Ratscat complex, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lark-Transformer association, 0 to 40 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nasa-Yesum complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Agustin-Vado-Riverwash complex, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lark-Andrecito association, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lark-Astrobee-Nasa complex, 0 to 40 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Torriorthents-Corvus complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yesum gypsiferous sandy loam, 0 to 9 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Not limited |
| Astrobee-Lark-Nasa complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Piedrablanca-Wulie-Nasa complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torbellino-Lark association, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mamtrack-Lark-Transformer complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.