Soil series profile

Simona soil series

Simona is a well drained soil with a loamy fine sand surface, mapped on 581,270 acres in 8 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.

#452 by mapped area loamy Typic Paleorthids (Aridisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: D
Typical topsoil pH: 7.9
Mapped area: 581k

Typical Simona 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 Simona horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–4 in (H1)	Loamy fine sand	7.9	9%	82%	0.45%
4–15 in (H2)	Gravelly fine sandy loam	7.9	17%	68%	0.6%
15–60 in (H3)	Cemented material	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Representative values from the most extensive Simona map unit (Simona loamy fine sand, gently sloping, survey area NM660). 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 Simona soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Simona soils is moderately alkaline: pH 7.9 (most land between 7.6 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 63% of mapped Simona acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is gravelly fine sandy loam (29% of mapped Simona acres).

100% of mapped Simona 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 Simona 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 Simona soil is found

Mapped acres

Simona is mapped in New Mexico and Texas.

Counties with the most mapped Simona soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Eddy County, NM	126,713	4.7%
Doña Ana County, NM	117,395	4.6%
Lea County, NM	114,553	4.1%
Sierra County, NM	92,721	3.8%
Chaves County, NM	61,985	1.6%
Luna County, NM	46,085	2.4%
El Paso County, TX	15,295	2.4%
Midland County, TX	6,523	1.1%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Simona acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

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

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Simona acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	100.0%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Simona 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 1–5% (median 3%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 0.6%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 100%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

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

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Drainage class across mapped Simona acres.
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

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

B: moderate infiltration 0%

C: slow infiltration 0%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 100%

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 Simona acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Simona acres.
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 Simona (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 581,270 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Simona components. The profile comes from the single largest Simona component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

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