Soil series profile

Glenbar soil series

Glenbar is a well drained soil with a silty clay loam surface, mapped on 366,371 acres in 8 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group C.

#873 by mapped area fine-silty Typic Torrifluvents (Entisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: C
Typical topsoil pH: 8.2
Mapped area: 366k

Typical Glenbar 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).

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Typical Glenbar horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–13 in (C1)	Silty clay loam	8.8	35%	13%	0.2%
13–23 in (C2)	Clay loam	8.0	35%	25%	0.2%
23–25 in (C3)	Sandy clay loam	9.0	22%	63%	0.2%
25–60 in (C4)	Silty clay loam	8.8	33%	14%	0.2%

Representative values from the most extensive Glenbar map unit (Imperial-Glenbar silty clay loams complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, wet, survey area CA683). 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 Glenbar soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Glenbar soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.2 (most land between 7.8 and 8.8). 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 Glenbar acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is silty clay loam (37% of mapped Glenbar acres).

77% of mapped Glenbar acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

On 98% 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 98% of the acres in mapped Glenbar soils very limited, 2% 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.

Flooding is mapped on 62% of the acres (53% occasional, 0% frequent).

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 Glenbar soil is found

Mapped acres

Glenbar is mapped in Arizona and California.

Counties with the most mapped Glenbar soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Imperial County, CA	117,218	8.0%
Pinal County, AZ	71,465	2.2%
Maricopa County, AZ	55,519	0.9%
Pima County, AZ	51,477	1.0%
La Paz County, AZ	39,546	1.4%
Yuma County, AZ	18,038	0.8%
Riverside County, CA	6,983	0.2%
San Bernardino County, CA	212	0.0%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Glenbar acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 2%

Very limited 98%

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

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Glenbar acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	1.9%
Very limited	98.1%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Glenbar acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 2.9 feet (35 in) (median where reported).
Flooding: Mapped as flooding on 62% of acres (53% occasional, 0% frequent).
Slope: Typically 0–1% (median 1%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 0.2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 75%

Moderately well drained 2%

Somewhat poorly drained 23%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

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

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Drainage class across mapped Glenbar acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	75.3%
Moderately well drained	2.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	22.7%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%

Hydrologic soil group

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

B: moderate infiltration 2%

C: slow infiltration 74%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 24%

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%

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

Show as a table

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Glenbar acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	1.9%
C: slow infiltration	74.3%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	23.8%
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%

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 Glenbar (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 366,371 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Glenbar components. The profile comes from the single largest Glenbar component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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