Wharton County, Texas
The most common soil here is Lake Charles, on about 21% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Edna and Bernard come next.
About 8% of the land drains well, and 27% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 33% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Wharton 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 Wharton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 162K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 96K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brazoria clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 55K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dacosta sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernard-Edna complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 47K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nada-Telf complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nada-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Telf fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Norwood loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 21K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pledger clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edna-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bernard loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kuy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clemville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidehaven fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Asa silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Inez fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midfield loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Telf fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Texana-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat 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 80% 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 98% 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.