McLennan County, Texas
The most common soil here is Heiden, on about 9% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Houston Black and Wilson come next.
About 60% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 McLennan 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 McLennan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 42K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houston Black clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 41K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Heiden clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aledo gravelly clay loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slidell silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinn clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crawford silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Branyon clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stephen-Eddy complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Purves clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Axtell fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lott silty clay, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Heiden clay, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lewisville silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frio silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bolar gravelly clay loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairlie clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denton silty clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Burleson clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | 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 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.