Trinity County, Texas
The most common soil here is Fuller, on about 22% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Kurth and Keltys come next.
About 9% of the land drains well, and 34% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 67% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% 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 Trinity 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 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 Trinity 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 104K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keltys fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 41K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kurth fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 41K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Moten-Multey complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Koury silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 38K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penning very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pophers silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water greater than 40 acres in size | 13K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Moswell loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Herty loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lovelady loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Colita fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ozias-Pophers complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosenwall fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuller fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kurth fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosenwall fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colita-Laska complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alazan very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keltys fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/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 67% 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 97% 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.