Van Zandt County, Texas
The most common soil here is Woodtell, on about 16% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Freestone and Crockett come next.
About 50% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 29% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 16% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Van Zandt 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 Van Zandt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestone fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 69K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wolfpen loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Woodtell loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 48K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodtell loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nahatche loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickton fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Manco loam, frequently flooded | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Derly, occasionally ponded-Raino complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernaldo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crockett loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gladewater clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Edge fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sandow loam, frequently flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilson silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kirvin fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Leagueville loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | D | Not rated | Not rated |
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 66% 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 82% 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.