Bosque County, Texas
The most common soil here is Purves, on about 14% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Eckrant and Maloterre come next.
About 89% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 56% 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 Bosque County, 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 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 Bosque County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brackett-Eckrant association, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 79K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eckrant very cobbly silty clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes, very stony | 78K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purves-Maloterre association, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cranfill gravelly clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Slidell clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 43K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maloterre-Tarrant complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 39K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denton silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Frio silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Krum clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarrant association, undulating | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purves clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denton silty clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Purves gravelly silty clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunev clay loam, cool, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Purves clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 13K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Cranfill gravelly clay loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crawford silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bosque loam, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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.