San Saba County, Texas

Survey Area TX411• Texas

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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 83% 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 100% 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.