Madison County, Texas
The most common soil here is Rader, on about 14% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Zulch and Zack come next.
About 8% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 48% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 20% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% 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 Madison 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 61% 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 96% 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.