Soil series profile
Kimbrough soil series
Kimbrough is a well drained soil with a gravelly loam surface, mapped on 968,494 acres in 16 counties across 3 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Well drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 100% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 7.8 slightly alkaline · range 7.4–7.9
- Mapped area
- 968k acres in 16 counties, 3 states
Typical Kimbrough profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 in (A) | Gravelly loam | 7.8 | 19% | 44% | 2.9% |
| 3–10 in (Bw) | Loam | 7.8 | 22% | 48% | 2.3% |
| 10–16 in (Bkkm1) | Cemented material | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| 16–80 in (Bkkm2) | Cemented material | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
What this means
What Kimbrough soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Kimbrough soils is slightly alkaline: pH 7.8 (most land between 7.4 and 7.9). 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 Kimbrough acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is gravelly loam (57% of mapped Kimbrough acres).
100% of mapped Kimbrough 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 100% of the acres in mapped Kimbrough 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.
Where Kimbrough soil is found
Mapped acres
Kimbrough is mapped in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Lea County, NM | 563,266 | 20.1% |
| Ector County, TX | 106,442 | 18.4% |
| Andrews County, TX | 59,748 | 6.2% |
| Chaves County, NM | 56,933 | 1.5% |
| Midland County, TX | 40,994 | 7.1% |
| Martin County, TX | 39,186 | 6.7% |
| Eddy County, NM | 32,740 | 1.2% |
| Lincoln County, NM | 27,891 | 1.0% |
| Roosevelt County, NM | 16,830 | 1.1% |
| Cochise County, AZ | 15,284 | 0.5% |
| Winkler County, TX | 3,576 | 0.7% |
| Lubbock County, TX | 2,100 | 0.4% |
| Scurry County, TX | 490 | 0.1% |
| Tom Green County, TX | 138 | 0.0% |
| Howard County, TX | 33 | 0.0% |
| Crane County, TX | 28 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Kimbrough acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Kimbrough 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 1–2% (median 1%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2.9%.
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) | 100.0% |
| 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 Kimbrough (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 968,494 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Kimbrough components. The profile comes from the single largest Kimbrough component. Full methodology.