Soil survey area

Texas County, Oklahoma

Survey Area OK139• Oklahoma
The short version

The most common soil here is Gruver, on about 26% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Ulysses and Dalhart come next.

About 99% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 44% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 6% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 4% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Texas County, Oklahoma, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Gruver
26% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Ulysses
12% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Mollisols
Dalhart
11% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Sherm
7% of the area
Silty clay loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth and slightly sticky. Holds a lot of water.
Mollisols
Conlen
7% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Potter
7% of the area
Gravelly loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Aridisols

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 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 Texas County, Oklahoma. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Gruver clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 320K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Ulysses clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 118K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Veal-Potter complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes, cool 105K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Dalhart fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 82K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Sherm clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 80K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Conlen loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 75K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Potter soils, 3 to 20 percent slopes, cool 65K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Dalhart fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 53K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Perico-Ulysses complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes 48K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Gruver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 35K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Ulysses clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 35K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Dalhart loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 29K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Happyditch loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 27K Well drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Vona, Otero, and Plack soils, 3 to 20 percent slopes 26K Well drainedASomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Vona loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 22K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Berthoud loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 20K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Berthoud loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 17K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Otero-Vona complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes 15K Well drainedANot limitedNot limited
Vona loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes 14K Well drainedANot limitedSomewhat limited
Conlen loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 13K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat 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.

Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Aridisols
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Vertisols
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.

Septic Systems

About 44% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

Gardening & Agriculture

Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.

Look Up a Specific Address

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