Foard County, Texas
The most common soil here is Knoco, on about 14% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Rotan and Tillman come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% 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 43% 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 Foard 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Foard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotan clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cottonwood-Knoco complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Knoco-Badland complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Knoco-Talpa complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes, very bouldery | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talpa-La Casa complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wheatwood-Spur loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilvern clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hollister clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talpa-Knoco complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernon-Knoco complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tillman clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernon-Knoco complex, cool, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Westill clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miles loamy fine sand, moist, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kingco silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Quanah silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Springer loamy fine sand, moist, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kingco silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wheatwood-Mangum complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | 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
About 63% 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 95% 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.