Donley County, Texas
The most common soil here is Miles, on about 19% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Mobeetie and Obaro come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 52% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 19% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 18% 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 Donley 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Donley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobeetie-Veal-Potter complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Obaro-Quinlan association, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 78K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mobeetie-Tascosa complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Springer loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln loamy fine sand, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Veal fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, cool | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berda-Potter-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mobeetie fine sandy loam, cool, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Burson-Aspermont association, steep | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pullman clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berda-Pep-Potter association, rolling | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Aspermont silty clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Likes loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Acuff loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Veal fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, cool | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tivoli fine sand, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 52% 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.