Palo Pinto County, Texas

Survey Area TX363• Texas

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 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 Palo Pinto 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
Set-Palopinto complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes, extremely stony	78K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Hensley very stony clay loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes	59K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Palopinto very stony clay loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes, rubbly	50K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shatruce-Bonti complex, 8 to 40 percent slopes, rubbly	42K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bonti-Exray complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony	42K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Leeray clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes	39K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	22K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Shatruce gravelly sandy loam, 12 to 50 percent slopes, very rubbly	21K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Truce fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	20K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bonti fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	20K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Set clay, 3 to 5 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lindy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Thurber clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Vashti loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes	17K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Santo and Bunyan soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	16K	Well drained		Very limited	Very limited
Minwells fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bosque clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Owens-Harpersville complex, 8 to 45 percent slopes, extremely bouldery	13K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shavash stony loamy fine sand, 1 to 3 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Truce fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Somewhat 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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, 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

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.