Cottle County, Texas
The most common soil here is Miles, on about 14% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Woodward and Tillman come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 38% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% 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 Cottle 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Cottle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoco-Badland complex, dry, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodward and Quinlan loams, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Badland and Knoco soils, dry, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miles loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Woodward soils and rough broken land | 29K | Well drained | C | Not rated | Very limited |
| Woodward loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, warm | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Knoco, Talpa, and Vernon soils | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rough broken land | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nobscot fine sand | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hilgrave very gravelly sandy loam | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernon clay loam, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bukreek loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Carey loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bukreek loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles loamy fine sand, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Woodward loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, warm | 11K | 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 38% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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.