Calhoun County, Texas
The most common soil here is Laewest, on about 12% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Livia and Dacosta come next.
About 0% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 53% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% 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 Calhoun 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Calhoun 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 254K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Laewest clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 78K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galveston-Mustang complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, frequently ponded | 20K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Livia clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dacosta-Contee complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Portalto-Roemer occasionally ponded complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arrada loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, occasionally ponded | 17K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Livia silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Francitas clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Veston very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, low, frequently flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Austwell clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galveston fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matagorda very fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aransas clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, slightly saline, moderately sodic, frequently flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rahal fine sand, gently undulating | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Telferner fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Madre fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, frequently ponded | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Contee-Dacosta complex | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Placedo clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 6K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | 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 52% 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 53% 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.