Wheeler County, Texas
The most common soil here is Grandfield, on about 27% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Devol and Nobscot come next.
About 97% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 12% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Wheeler 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Wheeler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandfield loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Devol loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 67K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nobscot sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Delwin fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, moist | 37K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Devol loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Obaro-Quinlan association, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tivoli fine sand, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 29K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grandfield fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Devol soils, undulating, severely eroded | 19K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lutie silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Grandfield loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carey silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hardeman fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, cool | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grandfield fine sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Guadalupe fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grandfield soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severely erode d | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sweetwater silty clay loam, saline, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Likes loamy fine sand, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lutie silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.