Erath County, Texas
The most common soil here is Windthorst, on about 11% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Purves and Maloterre come next.
About 77% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 54% 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 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 Erath 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 Erath 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 54% 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 82% 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.