Howard County, Texas
The most common soil here is Amarillo, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Portales and Olton come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 49% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 23% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% 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 Howard 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 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 Howard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potter soils, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Olton clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Portales loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Acuff loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portales loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vernon-Knoco complex, dry, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ector soils, moist, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ector-Rock outcrop complex | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Treadway clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mansker loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Circleback fine sand, 1 to 30 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Stamford clay, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stamford clay, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rowena clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springer loamy fine sand, undulating | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vernon clay, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Somewhat 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 23% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 49% 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.