Palo Pinto County, Texas
The most common soil here is Palopinto, on about 11% of the land: a very stony clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Set and Hensley come next.
About 88% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 59% 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 Palo Pinto 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 67% 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 92% 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.