Austin and Waller Counties, Texas
The most common soil here is Katy, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Wockley and Brazoria come next.
About 24% of the land drains well, and 26% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 22% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% 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 2% 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 Austin and Waller Counties, Texas, 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Austin and Waller Counties, Texas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katy fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 60K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brazoria clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 39K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wockley fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tremona loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hockley loamy fine sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kenney loamy fine sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cyfair-Katy complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catilla loamy fine sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Monaville loamy fine sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tabor fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verland clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trinity clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lake Charles clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frelsburg clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Churnabog clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wockley fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Styx loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Straber loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chazos loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat 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 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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
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.