Sterling County, Texas
The most common soil here is Ector, on about 31% of the land: a very gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Angelo and Cho come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 39% 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 Sterling 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Sterling 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 soils, moist, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 137K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelo silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Angelo silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ector soils, moist, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cho and Potter soils, undulating | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Broome silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mereta clay loam, dry, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rioconcho silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 30K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conger loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tarrant-Rock outcrop complex, dry, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tobosa clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reagan silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cho-Vernon complex, dry, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mereta clay loam, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berda soils, undulating | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sagerton clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Reagan silty clay loam, moist, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rioconcho and Dev soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colorado loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Irion clay, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 1K | 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 65% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.