Polk and San Jacinto Counties, Texas
The most common soil here is Pinetucky, on about 13% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Woodville and Hatliff come next.
About 20% of the land drains well, and 41% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 40% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Polk and San Jacinto Counties, 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 Moderately 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 Polk and San Jacinto Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinetucky fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 140K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hatliff-Pluck-Kian complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 138K | Poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doucette loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 65K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Woodville fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 61K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodville fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 49K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stringtown-Bonwier association, strongly sloping | 45K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Colita-Laska complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leggett fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conroe gravelly loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 29K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Choates loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Diboll-Keltys complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wiergate clay, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belrose loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Betis loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Boykin loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Laska fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moswell fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wiergate clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sorter-Dallardsville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly 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 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.