Hartley County, Texas
The most common soil here is Dallam, on about 28% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Sherm and Dumas come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 24% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 5% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Hartley 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Hartley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallam loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dallam fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 95K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vingo-Dallam association, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sherm clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mobeetie-Veal-Potter complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dumas loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 63K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dallam fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berda-Veal association, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gruver loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sunray loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Spurlock fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Conlen loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Valerian-Nara-Visa complex, 1 to 20 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Potter soils, 3 to 20 percent slopes, cool | 21K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sunray loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lincoln soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berda loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, cool | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Perico fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Perico fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dumas loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 24% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.