Erath County, Texas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Erath County, Texas.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purves-Dugout-Maloterre complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 32K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Fairy-Hico complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Maloterre gravelly clay loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brackett-Purves complex | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hico and Windthorst sandy clay loams, 1 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Brackett-Dugout complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frio silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bunyan fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Altoga-Lewisville-Duffau complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Slidell clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lewisville clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Truce stony fine sandy loam, 5 to 40 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bosque loam, occasionally flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clairette loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Purves clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bolar-Denton complex 3 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Altoga-Lewisville clay loams, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 61% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.