Uvalde County, Texas
The most common soil here is Uvalde, on about 10% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Knippa and Ector come next.
About 75% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 70% 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 49% 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 Uvalde 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 Uvalde 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Real association, steep | 119K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Knippa clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock Outcrop-Ector, warm, complex, 10 to 40 percent slopes | 80K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Uvalde clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Olmos and Langtry soils undifferentiated, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ector-Rock outcrop complex, warm, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Real and Eckrant soils, undulating | 46K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Olmos very cobbly loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montell clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 42K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ector soils, warm, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uvalde clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Speck association, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hindes-Yologo complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dev extremely gravelly clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 22K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eckrant soils, undulating | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pratley clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Knippa clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Atco loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kavett clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castroville clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 70% 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 95% 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.