Soil survey area

Wilbarger County, Texas

Survey Area TX487• Texas
The short version

The most common soil here is Tillman, on about 15% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Miles and Rotan come next.

About 98% of the land drains well.

USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 14% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Wilbarger County, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Tillman
15% of the area
Loam topsoil · well drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Mollisols
Miles
14% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Rotan
10% of the area
Clay loam topsoil · well drained
Firm and a little sticky. Holds water and nutrients well.
Mollisols
Clairemont
8% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Entisols
Vernon
7% of the area
Clay topsoil · well drained
Sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Drains slowly.
Inceptisols
Springer
7% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols

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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Wilbarger County, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Tillman clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 80K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Rotan clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 56K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Vernon clay loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 43K Well drainedDSomewhat limitedVery limited
Miles loamy fine sand, moist, 0 to 3 percent slopes 37K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Knoco-Badland complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes 37K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Rough broken land, clayey 36K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Clairemont clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 33K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Miles fine sandy loam, moist, 0 to 1 percent slopes 31K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Springer loamy fine sand, undulating 30K Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Miles fine sandy loam, moist, 1 to 3 percent slopes 26K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Wichita clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 23K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tillman clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 19K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Rotan clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 17K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Clairemont clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 15K Well drainedBVery limitedVery limited
Tivoli fine sand, 5 to 30 percent slopes 12K Excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Lincoln loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded 10K Somewhat excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Enterprise very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 9K Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Lincoln fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded 9K Somewhat excessively drainedAVery limitedVery limited
Tipton loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 8K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Springer loamy fine sand, hummocky 8K Well drainedANot limitedVery 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.

Alfisols
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Mollisols
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Vertisols
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 86% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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