Presidio County, Texas
The most common soil here is Brewster, on about 7% of the land: a extremely gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Corazones and Murray come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% 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 Presidio 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 Presidio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray-Marfa-Boracho association, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 176K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Corazones-Ojinaga complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 121K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Chinati-Boracho-Berrend association, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 107K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brewster-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 105K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Musquiz clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brewster-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pantak and Lingua soils, and Rock outcrop, 10 to 30 percent slopes | 94K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manzanillo and Paisano soils, 1 to 30 percent slopes | 82K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chinati-Boracho complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 77K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corazones-Ojinaga complex, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 72K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Geefour-Corazones-Ojinaga association, 5 to 45 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marfa clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 63K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manzanillo-Chilicotal-Holguin association, 1 to 30 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scotal-Ohtwo-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riverwash and Pantera soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 57K | Excessively drained | A | Not rated | Not rated |
| Studybutte very gravelly sandy clay loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chilimol-Boracho-Berrend complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 55K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Phantom-Musquiz complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Terlingua complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 45K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Espy-Eppenauer complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 42K | Well 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 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 81% 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.