Guadalupe County, Texas
The most common soil here is Crockett, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Houston Black and Branyon come next.
About 27% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% 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 5% 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 Guadalupe 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 Vertisols — clay-rich soils that shrink and swell dramatically with moisture changes. 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 Guadalupe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patilo and Arenosa soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 53K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houston Black clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 33K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Robco-Tanglewood complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heiden clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinn clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barbarosa silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uhland soils frequently flooded | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houston Black gravelly clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ferris and Heiden soils, 5 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mabank loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vernia very gravelly loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crockett gravelly fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinn clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunev loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lewisville silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | 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 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include 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.