Foundation Conditions in West Texas and the Panhandle

How the soils around Abilene and Amarillo compare.

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Abilene and Amarillo anchor very different parts of the state's dry western half. Both sit on clay-rich soils that rate high for shrink-swell in the soil survey.

Around Abilene a restrictive layer such as caliche is mapped within about three feet at every sampled soil unit with data, and half of sampled points rate high or very high. Around Amarillo, Pullman soil dominates and nearly two-thirds of sampled points rate high or very high.

Across the 2 West Texas and the Panhandle cities profiled here, the soil survey rates shrink-swell high around 2, moderate around 0 and low around 0.

West Texas and the Panhandle Cities Compared

Measured soil conditions around each city center (USDA NRCS soil survey); select a city for its own page
City	County	Most-mapped soil	Shrink-swell (mean LE)	Bedrock/hardpan within 3 ft
Abilene	Taylor County	Sagerton	high (6.9%)	yes
Amarillo	Potter County	Pullman	high (5.7%)	—

Drier climates make the swings between long dry spells and concentrated rain or irrigation the main moisture driver. Winter freezing is also a factor in the Panhandle, but the soil survey does not measure it, so treat any specific frost claim as unverified unless it is shown for your property.

Each city name above opens its own page with measured values and sample counts.

Contractors Serving West Texas and the Panhandle

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the soil survey measure freezing?

No. The ratings here describe shrink-swell, bedrock and clay content; frost behavior needs a site-specific assessment.

Why only two cities in this region?

These are the two West Texas and Panhandle cities with their own pages today. Other cities may be added when the evidence supports a dedicated page of their own.

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