White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
The most common soil here is Lark, on about 22% of the land: a gypsiferous sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Salago and Astrobee come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 99% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 National Monument, 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 National Monument, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 99% 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 93% 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.