Denton County, Texas
The most common soil here is Sanger, on about 11% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Somervell and Callisburg come next.
About 61% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 19% 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 Denton 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 Denton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanger clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 46K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Somervell gravelly loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slidell clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ponder loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gasil fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Callisburg fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Birome-Rayex-Aubrey complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Frio clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Navo clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sanger clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilson clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mingo clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burleson clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aledo gravelly clay loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Birome fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ovan clay, frequently flooded | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Justin fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | 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 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 83% 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.