Duval County, Texas
The most common soil here is Benavides, on about 11% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Delmita and Piedras come next.
About 90% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 58% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Duval 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Duval 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedras and Cuevitas soils, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 148K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Benavides fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 140K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Delmita-Randado complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 104K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olmedo very gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alet sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 63K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weesatche fine sandy loam, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Delfina fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 58K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Houla clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 53K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Czar-Clareville complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pernitas fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colmena fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Delmita fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delmita and Bruni soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grava soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Aguilares fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lomart loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tela sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salco fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nueces fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Premont fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 58% 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.