Soil series profile
Upton soil series
Upton is a well drained soil with a gravelly loam surface, mapped on 1,537,567 acres in 21 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Well drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 88% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 8.2 moderately alkaline · range 7.6–8.3
- Mapped area
- 1.5M acres in 21 counties, 2 states
Typical Upton profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–9 in (H1) | Gravelly loam | 7.6 | 21% | 42% | 0.75% |
| 9–13 in (H2) | Gravelly loam | 7.6 | 21% | 42% | 0.75% |
| 13–21 in (H3) | Cemented | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| 21–60 in (H4) | Very gravelly loam | 7.6 | 21% | 42% | 0.75% |
What this means
What Upton soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Upton soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.2 (most land between 7.6 and 8.3). 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 92% of mapped Upton acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is gravelly loam (66% of mapped Upton acres).
100% of mapped Upton acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On 94% 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 94% of the acres in mapped Upton soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (7% 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 Upton soil is found
Mapped acres
Upton is mapped in Texas and New Mexico.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Pecos County, TX | 287,423 | 9.4% |
| Eddy County, NM | 262,546 | 9.7% |
| Terrell County, TX | 244,559 | 14.3% |
| Luna County, NM | 115,263 | 6.1% |
| Hidalgo County, NM | 112,501 | 5.2% |
| Midland County, TX | 108,620 | 18.8% |
| Chaves County, NM | 76,245 | 2.0% |
| Grant County, NM | 51,714 | 2.8% |
| Crockett County, TX | 49,372 | 2.8% |
| Brewster County, TX | 43,185 | 1.1% |
| Doña Ana County, NM | 41,892 | 1.6% |
| Reeves County, TX | 39,316 | 2.3% |
| Lea County, NM | 26,858 | 1.0% |
| Upton County, TX | 18,053 | 2.3% |
| Ector County, TX | 17,368 | 3.0% |
| Ward County, TX | 16,080 | 3.0% |
| Crane County, TX | 9,963 | 2.0% |
| Glasscock County, TX | 7,324 | 1.3% |
| Martin County, TX | 5,970 | 1.0% |
| Jeff Davis County, TX | 1,799 | 0.1% |
| Reagan County, TX | 1,514 | 0.2% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Upton acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 93.5% |
| Not rated | 6.5% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Upton 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 2–5% (median 3%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 2%.
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 | 5.9% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 87.8% |
| 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% |
| Not rated | 6.3% |
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 Upton (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 1,537,567 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Upton components. The profile comes from the single largest Upton component. Full methodology.