Lavaca County, Texas
The most common soil here is Straber, on about 12% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Tremona and Carbengle come next.
About 25% of the land drains well, and 13% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 10% 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 Lavaca 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Lavaca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straber loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 82K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tremona loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 81K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Denhawken-Elmendorf complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morales-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dubina loamy fine sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 37K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hallettsville fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbengle loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Frelsburg clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 28K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Navaca clay, frequently flooded | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frelsburg clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Inez fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nez loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbengle loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuero sandy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Catilla loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Milby sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kuy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carbengle loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bleiblerville clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately 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 58% 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 100% 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.