Moore County, Texas
The most common soil here is Sherm, on about 43% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Sunray and Mobeetie come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 67% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 10% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Moore 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 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 Moore 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherm silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 265K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sunray loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mobeetie-Veal-Potter complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tascosa gravelly loam, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mobeetie fine sandy loam, cool, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sunray loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Paloduro-Sunray complex, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gruver clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pastura-Veal complex, 1 to 25 percent slopes, warm | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mobeetie fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, cool | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Springer and Likes soils, undulating | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sherm silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dumas loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Likes loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Conlen loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dreyfoos fine sand, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dumas loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dumas and Tascosa soils, rolling | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Paloduro-Sunray complex, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 67% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.