Willacy County, Texas

Survey Area TX489• Texas

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Willacy 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
Raymondville clay loam	60K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Water	47K		D	Not rated	Not rated
Racombes sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	33K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Hidalgo sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	28K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Lyford sandy clay loam	26K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Nueces fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	24K	Moderately well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Lozano fine sandy loam	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Willamar fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	20K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Willacy fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Satatton fine sand, frequently flooded	16K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tatton fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded	14K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Willacy fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Porfirio sandy clay loam occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Mercedes clay	10K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Barrada clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded, occasionally ponded	10K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Delfina fine sandy loam, warm, 0 to 2 percent slopes	8K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Saucel fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sauz fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded	7K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Falfurrias fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Hargill fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat 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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

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 35% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 49% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.