Soil series profile

Deama soil series

Deama is a well drained soil with a very cobbly loam surface, mapped on 1,217,587 acres in 14 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group D.

#120 by mapped area loamy-skeletal Lithic Calciustolls (Mollisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: D
Typical topsoil pH: 8.2
Mapped area: 1.2M

Typical Deama profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

Show as a table

Typical Deama horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–7 in (H1)	Very cobbly loam	8.2	23%	40%	2%
7–60 in (H2)	Bedrock	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Representative values from the most extensive Deama map unit (Deama-Rock outcrop association, very steep, survey area NM632). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

What this means

What Deama soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Deama soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.2 (most land between 7.9 and 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 98% of mapped Deama acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is very cobbly loam (39% of mapped Deama acres).

>99% of mapped Deama acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

On 100% 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 >99% of the acres in mapped Deama soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.

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.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Deama soil is found

Mapped acres

Deama is mapped in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.

Counties with the most mapped Deama soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Lincoln County, NM	460,150	17.0%
Coconino County, AZ	204,346	1.8%
Otero County, NM	178,053	4.8%
Chaves County, NM	168,649	4.3%
Socorro County, NM	64,617	1.8%
Sierra County, NM	52,075	2.1%
Eddy County, NM	36,812	1.4%
Doña Ana County, NM	25,263	1.0%
Navajo County, AZ	10,607	0.2%
Guadalupe County, NM	8,485	0.4%
De Baca County, NM	4,720	0.3%
Sandoval County, NM	3,362	0.2%
Valencia County, NM	338	0.0%
El Paso County, TX	7	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Deama acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited >99%

Not rated <1%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Deama acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

Show as a table

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Deama acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	99.9%
Not rated	0.1%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Deama 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 8–38% (median 23%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained >99%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

Not rated <1%

Drainage class across mapped Deama acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

Show as a table

Drainage class across mapped Deama acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	99.9%
Moderately well drained	0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	0.0%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%
Not rated	0.1%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 0%

B: moderate infiltration 0%

C: slow infiltration <1%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) >99%

A/D: D as is, A if drained 0%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 0%

Not rated <1%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Deama acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

Show as a table

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Deama acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	0.0%
C: slow infiltration	0.8%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	99.2%
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	0.1%

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 Deama (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 1,217,587 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Deama components. The profile comes from the single largest Deama component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Deama.