Soil survey area

Lynn County, Texas

Survey Area TX305• Texas
The short version

The most common soil here is Acuff, on about 30% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Amarillo and Estacado come next.

About 95% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches.

USDA rates 12% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 6% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Lynn County, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Acuff
30% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Amarillo
24% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Estacado
6% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Midessa
3% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Inceptisols
Posey
3% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Patricia
3% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols

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 Lynn County, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Acuff loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 156K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 75K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 62K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Acuff loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 40K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes 33K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Estacado and Pep loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes 23K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Posey fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 17K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Potter soils, 3 to 20 percent slopes 11K Well drainedCNot limitedVery limited
Estacado loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 9K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Portales loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 9K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Drake soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes 9K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Olton clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Sparenberg clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded 7K Somewhat poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Brownfield fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Arvana fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 7K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Portales loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 7K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Zita fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Estacado loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat 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.

Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Aridisols
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

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

Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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