San Saba County, Texas
The most common soil here is Roughcreek, on about 25% of the land: a very bouldery clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Rumple and Nocken come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 77% 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 San Saba 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 San Saba 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roughcreek very stony clay loam, gently rolling | 185K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nocken-Callahan-Throck association, hilly | 100K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rumple gravelly clay loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 99K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eckrant-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes, very stony | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagerton clay loam, warm, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Winters fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eckrant stony clay, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonti fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Frio silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leeray clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yates very flaggy fine sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonti fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sagerton clay loam, warm, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cho loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Speck-Cho complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonti fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nuvalde clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hye fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pebblepoint-Rumple association, hilly | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithwick clay, hilly | 8K | 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 79% 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 98% 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.