Victoria County, Texas
The most common soil here is Laewest, on about 17% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Telferner and Dacosta come next.
About 10% of the land drains well, and 16% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% 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 Victoria 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 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 Victoria 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laewest clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 91K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Telferner fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 75K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nada-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dacosta sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 42K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 33K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dacosta-Contee complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Telferner fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Inez fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Straber loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garcitas gravelly loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Meguin silty clay, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trinity clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meguin silty clay, frequently flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fordtran loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Faddin very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Laewest clay, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Kuy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Telferner-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dacosta and Telferner soils, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 6K | Moderately 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 78% 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.