Marion and Cass Counties, Texas
The most common soil here is Bowie, on about 15% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cuthbert and Tenaha come next.
About 73% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 24% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% 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 Marion and Cass Counties, 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 Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Marion and Cass Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 128K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 75K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert gravelly fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 66K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lilbert loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 38K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Kirvin gravelly fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Darco loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Iulus fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 23K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mooreville-Mantachie complex, frequently flooded | 23K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sailes fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Briley loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gallime-Guyton complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattex loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latch-Mollville, frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bibb fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sardis-Manco complex, frequently flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bernaldo fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 24% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.