Soil series profile
Conger soil series
Conger is a well drained soil with a loam surface, mapped on 424,870 acres in 17 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Well drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 97% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 8.2 moderately alkaline · range 8.2–8.2
- Mapped area
- 425k acres in 17 counties, 2 states
Typical Conger profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–15 in (H1) | Loam | 8.2 | 23% | 40% | 1.5% |
| 15–21 in (H2) | Cemented material | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| 21–80 in (H3) | Gravelly clay loam | 8.2 | 28% | 35% | 0.35% |
What this means
What Conger soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Conger soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.2. Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 96% of mapped Conger acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is loam (71% of mapped Conger acres).
100% of mapped Conger acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On 97% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 97% of the acres in mapped Conger soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (3% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Conger soil is found
Mapped acres
Conger is mapped in Texas and New Mexico.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Reagan County, TX | 101,691 | 13.5% |
| Ector County, TX | 83,081 | 14.4% |
| Glasscock County, TX | 80,830 | 14.0% |
| Upton County, TX | 61,672 | 7.8% |
| Chaves County, NM | 31,250 | 0.8% |
| Grant County, NM | 16,929 | 0.9% |
| Andrews County, TX | 12,983 | 1.4% |
| Winkler County, TX | 10,342 | 1.9% |
| Guadalupe County, NM | 8,159 | 0.4% |
| Loving County, TX | 6,037 | 1.4% |
| Tom Green County, TX | 4,103 | 0.4% |
| Irion County, TX | 1,918 | 0.3% |
| Crane County, TX | 1,715 | 0.3% |
| Sterling County, TX | 1,585 | 0.3% |
| Coke County, TX | 1,488 | 0.3% |
| Sutton County, TX | 569 | 0.1% |
| Mitchell County, TX | 520 | 0.1% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Conger acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 97.2% |
| Not rated | 2.8% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Conger acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- None reported within about 6.5 feet (median where reported).
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 1–3% (median 2%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 1.5%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 100.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 0.7% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 96.5% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 2.8% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Conger (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 424,870 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Conger components. The profile comes from the single largest Conger component. Full methodology.