Montague County, Texas
The most common soil here is Windthorst, on about 17% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Duffau and Renfrow come next.
About 70% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 39% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 26% 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 Montague 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Montague 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windthorst and Duffau soils, 2 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 46K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Renfrow loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windthorst fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 33K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Duffau-Weatherford complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Anocon-Stoneburg association, undulating | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stoneburg-Anocon association, gently undulating | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cona association, hilly | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Truce fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bonti-Exray complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Duffau-Windthorst complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Duffau loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pulexas soils frequently flooded | 16K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chaney loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gowen soils, frequently flooded | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waurika-Renfrow complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bastrop loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vernon clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Truce-Owens complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bolar-Aledo complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | 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 39% 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.