Menard County, Texas
The most common soil here is Tarrant, on about 67% of the land: a very cobbly silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Kavett and Valera come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 87% 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 Menard 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 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 Menard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 389K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarrant-Kavett complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Valera silty clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarrant-Brackett association, hilly | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nuvalde silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kavett silty clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelo silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dev very gravelly loam, moist, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nuvalde silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Frio clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menard loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Menard fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mereta clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frio silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Frio soils, shallow variant | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land, gravelly | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brackett soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hext fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Frio soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 1K | 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 91% 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 95% 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.