Soil series profile
Ector soil series
Ector is a well drained soil with a very gravelly loam surface, mapped on 4,178,775 acres in 27 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Well drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 99% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 8.0 moderately alkaline · range 7.9–8.2
- Mapped area
- 4.2M acres in 27 counties, 2 states
Typical Ector profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 in (A) | Very gravelly loam | 8.0 | 26% | 30% | 7% |
| 4–8 in (Bk) | Very gravelly loam | 8.0 | 26% | 30% | 8% |
| 8–15 in (C/Bk) | Extremely cobbly loam | 8.2 | 26% | 30% | 3% |
| 15–40 in (R) | Bedrock | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
What this means
What Ector soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Ector soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.0 (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 99% of mapped Ector acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is very gravelly loam (37% of mapped Ector acres).
100% of mapped Ector acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On 99% 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 Ector soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (1% 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 Ector soil is found
Mapped acres
Ector is mapped in Texas and New Mexico.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Terrell County, TX | 619,176 | 36.1% |
| Pecos County, TX | 550,032 | 18.0% |
| Val Verde County, TX | 547,507 | 27.0% |
| Crockett County, TX | 488,199 | 27.2% |
| Chaves County, NM | 407,510 | 10.5% |
| Eddy County, NM | 393,411 | 14.5% |
| Irion County, TX | 208,396 | 31.0% |
| Sterling County, TX | 183,712 | 31.1% |
| Kinney County, TX | 89,057 | 10.2% |
| Lincoln County, NM | 88,679 | 3.3% |
| Tom Green County, TX | 86,467 | 8.9% |
| Uvalde County, TX | 84,091 | 8.4% |
| Edwards County, TX | 83,046 | 6.1% |
| Reagan County, TX | 70,240 | 9.3% |
| Schleicher County, TX | 52,758 | 6.3% |
| Otero County, NM | 50,723 | 1.4% |
| Glasscock County, TX | 45,267 | 7.8% |
| Sutton County, TX | 42,857 | 4.6% |
| Brewster County, TX | 33,827 | 0.9% |
| Howard County, TX | 32,475 | 5.7% |
| Upton County, TX | 11,249 | 1.4% |
| Coke County, TX | 7,551 | 1.3% |
| Reeves County, TX | 1,261 | 0.1% |
| Nolan County, TX | 615 | 0.1% |
| Real County, TX | 314 | 0.1% |
| Mitchell County, TX | 249 | 0.0% |
| Crane County, TX | 108 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Ector acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 98.6% |
| Not rated | 1.4% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Ector 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 5–25% (median 5%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 7%.
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 | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 98.7% |
| 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 | 1.3% |
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 Ector (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 4,178,775 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Ector components. The profile comes from the single largest Ector component. Full methodology.