Galveston County, Texas
The most common soil here is Bernard, on about 7% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Lake Charles and Maggies come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 40% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 61% of it.
USDA rates 56% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 36% 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 Galveston 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Galveston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water, saline | 116K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Lake Charles clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 28K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maggies very fine sandy loam, 1 to 2 meter water depth | 25K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Bernard clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, dredge channel, more than 2 meter water depth | 16K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Mocarey rarely flooded-Leton occasionally flooded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mocarey-Algoa loams complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galveston-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, storm surge | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Verland silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Narta fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Francitas clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basford loam, 0 to 1 meter water depth | 7K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Kemah silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leton, occasionally flooded-Aris, rarely flooded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sievers-Ijam complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, storm surge | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galveston-Drumbay fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, storm surge | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bacliff clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernard-Edna complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tracosa very frequently flooded, 0 to 1 percent slopes-Amarada, 0 to 1 meter depth complex | 6K | Very poorly 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 56% 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 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.