New Mexico Soil Surveys
New Mexico has 46 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation, making up roughly 31% of surveyed soils. Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter account for another 23%.
In terms of drainage, 92% of New Mexico soils are classified as well drained. Drainage class affects everything from septic system design to basement feasibility to garden planning. Use the survey area pages below to see drainage details for specific counties, or look up any address for an exact soil profile.
Soil Types
Aridisols
31% of surveyed soils
Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.
Mollisols
23% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Entisols
22% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Alfisols
15% of surveyed soils
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
5% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Vertisols
1% of surveyed soils
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.
Survey Areas
Bernalillo County and Parts of Sandoval and Valencia Counties, New MexicoCabezon Area, New MexicoCarlsbad Caverns National Park, New MexicoCarson National Forest, New Mexico, Part of Rio Arriba CountyCatron County, New Mexico, Northern PartChaves County, New Mexico, Northern PartChaves County, New Mexico, Southern PartCibola Area, New Mexico, Parts of Cibola, McKinley, and Valencia CountiesCibola National Forest Area, New Mexico, Parts of Catron, Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, Sierra and Socorro CountiesColfax County, New MexicoCurry County and Southwest Part of Quay County, New MexicoDe Baca County, New MexicoDona Ana County Area, New MexicoEddy Area, New MexicoFort Bliss Military Reservation, New Mexico and TexasGila National Forest, New Mexico, Parts of Catron, Grant and Sierra CountiesGrant County, New Mexico, Central and Southern PartsGuadalupe County, New MexicoHarding County, New MexicoHidalgo County, New MexicoJicarilla Apache Nation, Parts of Rio Arriba and Sandoval Counties, New MexicoLea County, New MexicoLincoln County Area, New MexicoLincoln National Forest Area, New Mexico, Parts of Lincoln and Otero CountiesLuna County, New MexicoMcKinley County Area, New Mexico, McKinley County and Parts of Cibola and San Juan CountiesMescalero-Apache Area, New MexicoMora County Area, New MexicoOtero Area, New Mexico, Parts of Otero, Eddy and Chaves CountiesRio Arriba Area, New Mexico, Parts of Rio Arriba and Sandoval CountiesRoosevelt County, New MexicoSan Juan County, New Mexico, Eastern PartSan Miguel County Area, New MexicoSandoval County Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Rio Arriba CountiesSanta Fe County Area, New MexicoSanta Fe National Forest Area, New Mexico, Parts of Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel and Santa Fe CountiesShiprock Area, Parts of San Juan County, New Mexico and Apache County, ArizonaSierra County Area, New MexicoSocorro County Area, New MexicoTaos County and Parts of Rio Arriba and Mora Counties, New MexicoTorrance Area, New MexicoTucumcari Area, Northern Quay County, New MexicoUnion County, New MexicoValencia County, New Mexico, Eastern PartWhite Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra and Socorro CountiesWhite Sands National Monument, New Mexico