Soil survey area

Camp, Franklin, Morris, and Titus Counties, Texas

Survey Area TX603• Texas
The short version

The most common soil here is Woodtell, on about 15% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Bowie and Freestone come next.

About 54% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.

USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 20% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Camp, Franklin, Morris, and Titus Counties, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Woodtell
15% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Bowie
10% of the area
Very fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Freestone
9% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · moderately well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Nahatche
8% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Entisols
Cuthbert
7% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Ultisols
Estes
5% of the area
Clay topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.
Vertisols

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 Camp, Franklin, Morris, and Titus Counties, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Woodtell fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes 88K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes 75K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Nahatche loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 72K Somewhat poorly drainedB/DVery limitedVery limited
Freestone fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 65K Moderately well drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes 54K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Estes clay loam, frequently flooded 39K Somewhat poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Derly, frequently ponded-Raino complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes 33K Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Woodtell fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes 25K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Lilbert loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 23K Well drainedBNot limitedVery limited
Water 22K DNot ratedNot rated
Woodtell-Raino complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes 21K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Kullit very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 19K Moderately well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Kaufman clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 17K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Bernaldo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 16K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Crockett silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 14K Moderately well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Wolfpen loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Kirvin very fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes 14K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Kirvin gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes 13K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Talco-Raino complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes 12K Somewhat poorly drainedC/DVery limitedVery limited
Iulus fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 10K Moderately well drainedB/DVery limitedVery 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.

Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Ultisols
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 69% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 92% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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