Gillespie County, Texas
The most common soil here is Tarrant, on about 25% of the land: a very cobbly silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Purves and Brackett come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 73% 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 Gillespie 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Gillespie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 151K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purves soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 79K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarrant-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarpley clay, 1 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boerne and Oakalla soils, channeled, frequently flooded | 26K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doss silty clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakalla silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 25K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brackett-Tarrant association, hilly | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heaton loamy fine sand | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Luckenbach clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brackett soils, hilly | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pedernales fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pedernales fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Denton silty clay, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Krum silty clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brackett soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hensley loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denton silty clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keese-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 35 percent slopes, stony | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Topia clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | 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 83% 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 96% 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.