Madison County, Texas

Survey Area TX313• Texas

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 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 Madison 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
Rader fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	36K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Zulch fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	30K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Zack fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	26K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Gowker clay loam, frequently flooded	25K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Boonville fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gredge fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	17K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Chazos loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rader-Derly complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Nahatche loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tabor fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Robco-Tanglewood complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Derly-Rader complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Zack fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Gredge fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hatliff fine sandy loam, frequently flooded	5K	Moderately well drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Kaufman clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	5K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gladewater clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gowker, occasionally flooded-Portersprings, rarely flooded complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gasil fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Water	3K		D	Not rated	Not rated

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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 62% 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 97% 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.