Pecos County, Texas
The most common soil here is Ector, on about 18% of the land: a very gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Reakor and Upton come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 72% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 41% 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 Pecos 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Pecos 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ector-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 546K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reagan-Hodgins association, nearly level | 452K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Reakor association, nearly level | 346K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lozier association, hilly | 276K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sanderson-Upton complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 239K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ector-Rock outcrop association, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 205K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Upton association, gently sloping | 159K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dalby clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 135K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ector-Upton association, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 126K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delnorte association, gently undulating | 82K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lozier-Rock outcrop association, steep | 73K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Iraan silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 69K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reakor silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Orla association, nearly level | 36K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Not limited |
| Monahans-Pajarito association, nearly level | 35K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pecos-Patrole-Arno association | 31K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reeves-Hoban association, nearly level | 28K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Balmorhea association | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hoban silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Not limited |
| Reagan silty clay loam, saline | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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
About 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 72% 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.