Soil survey area

Yoakum County, Texas

Survey Area TX501• Texas
The short version

The most common soil here is Patricia, on about 28% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Amarillo and Arvana come next.

About all of the land drains well.

USDA rates 25% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 8% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

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 Yoakum County, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Patricia
28% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Amarillo
27% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Arvana
7% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Alfisols
Tokio
6% of the area
Fine sand topsoil · well drained
Loose sand that holds almost no water.
Alfisols
Midessa
5% of the area
Fine sandy loam topsoil · well drained
Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.
Inceptisols
Notrees
4% 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Yoakum County, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes 282K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Yoakran-Plains-Nutivoli complex, 1 to 12 percent slopes 25K Well drainedBNot limitedVery limited
Arvana loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes 24K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Notrees fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 21K Well drainedANot limitedNot limited
Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 18K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 17K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tokio loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 14K Well drainedBNot limitedVery limited
Arvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 13K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Kimberson and Stohman soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes 13K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Brownfield fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 11K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Kimberson gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 7K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Tokio-Arvana complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBSomewhat limitedVery limited
Sharvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Kimberson-Stegall complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Portales loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 6K Well drainedBNot limitedSomewhat limited
Gomez loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 5K Well drainedANot limitedNot limited
Sharvana loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes 4K Well drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Crossroads fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 3K Well drainedCVery 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.

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 25% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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