Fort Bend County, Texas
The most common soil here is Lake Charles, on about 22% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Edna and Bernard come next.
About 10% of the land drains well, and 41% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 40% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Fort Bend 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 Moderately 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 Fort Bend 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 129K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 75K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brazoria clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 64K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernard-Edna complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 59K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pledger clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernard clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norwood loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Katy-Urban land complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Edna-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 14K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Bacliff clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sandy alluvial land, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Katy fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Asa-Pledger complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cyfair-Katy complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norwood silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Churnabog clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lake Charles clay, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sloping alluvial land, rarely flooded | 5K | Well drained | D | 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 91% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.