Arecibo Area, Puerto Rico Northern Part
The most common soil here is Soller, on about 8% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Tanama and Bayamon come next.
About 74% of the land drains well, and 6% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 71% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 41% 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 Arecibo Area, Puerto Rico Northern Part, 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Arecibo Area, Puerto Rico Northern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Tanama complex, 12 to 60 percent slopes | 59K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Soller-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 60 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pellejas clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Sebastian gravelly clay, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humatas clay, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lirios clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mucara clay, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bayamon clay, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Morado clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colinas cobbly clay loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Guineos clay, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toa silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coloso silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colinas clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maraguez silty clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Almirante clay, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bayamon sandy clay loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Los Guineos-Maricao-Rock outcrop association, steep | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bayamon sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land | 5K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 70% 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 71% 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.