Land Site Analysis Report - Sample Rough Creek Ranch

McCulloch County, Texas | 39.99 Acres | Center: 31.3355°N, 99.1902°W

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1. Parcel Snapshot

The subject parcel encompasses 39.99 acres in McCulloch County, Texas, centered at approximately 31.3355°N, 99.1902°W. The parcel boundary is an irregular polygon extending roughly 0.65 km north-south and 0.55 km east-west. Intended uses queried include homestead, orchard, garden, and well installation. A stock tank of less than one acre is noted on the parcel per listing context. Topographic analysis is derived from a 2-meter resolution LiDAR-based digital surface model [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. Aerial imagery was acquired on 2022-09-24 at 0.6-meter ground sample distance [NAIP-2022-09-24]. Multispectral satellite imagery was acquired on 2026-05-13 with 0.000464% cloud cover at 10-meter resolution [S2-2026-05-13-cloud0.0].

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2. Topography & Drainage

Elevation across the parcel ranges from 481.0 m to 503.2 m, a vertical relief of 22.2 m, with a mean elevation of 487.6 m [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. Mean slope is 7.2°, and 64.7% of the parcel surface falls below 5° - indicating that the majority of the parcel is effectively flat to gently rolling [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. Approximately 16.8% of the parcel exhibits slopes exceeding 15°, and the 95th-percentile slope reaches 31.1°, indicating localized steep terrain - likely associated with creek margins or rocky outcrops - that warrants field verification before any grading or construction activity [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated].

Aspect distribution is dominated by west-facing (24.5%) and northwest-facing (28.9%) slopes, together accounting for over half of the parcel's oriented surface area [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. South- and southwest-facing exposures represent a combined 17.9% of the parcel [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated].

| Aspect | % of Parcel | |--------|-------------| | N | 10.1 | | NE | 5.7 | | E | 6.7 | | SE | 6.0 | | S | 7.4 | | SW | 10.5 | | W | 24.5 | | NW | 28.9 |

*Source: [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]*

The Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) mean is 3.63, with 9.8% of the parcel falling within the top-decile wet-zone proxy [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. This suggests limited but present areas of relative moisture accumulation - consistent with the stock tank noted in the listing context - and warrants ground-truthing to identify any seasonal wet areas prior to siting structures or subsurface systems.

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3. Soil & Substrate

Six SSURGO map units are present across the parcel [SSURGO]. The dominant map unit by area is Nuvalde clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes (MUKEY 369954), covering approximately 18,925 acres of the surrounding survey area at 86% component purity [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369954]. The Nuvalde component is classified as well drained, carries a Mollisol/Ustoll taxonomic designation, and is rated non-hydric with medium runoff class [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369954].

The rule-based scorer identified Rowena clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes (MUKEY 369968) as the dominant component for scoring purposes, with 90% component purity, well-drained classification, Mollisol/Ustoll taxonomy, non-hydric rating, and medium runoff class [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968]. Additional map units present include Owens and Tarrant soils (hilly) with very high runoff class [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369958], Tarrant-Kavett complex [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369975], Leeray clay with very high runoff class and Vertisol taxonomy [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977], and Valera clay [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369978].

The presence of Leeray clay (Vertisols/Usterts) with very high runoff class [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977] and Owens soils with very high runoff class [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369958] on portions of the parcel warrants attention for any use requiring stable, non-shrink-swell substrate. Vertisolic soils are known for seasonal shrink-swell behavior; engineering judgment suggests foundation and trench designs in those zones require professional geotechnical review before construction.

[DATA_GAP: water table depth (annual minimum and April-June seasonal) is null for all SSURGO components - depth-to-water cannot be quantified from available data, which limits well-drilling and septic screening precision.]

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4. Vegetation & Land Cover

NAIP imagery acquired 2022-09-24 at 0.6-meter resolution indicates the parcel is predominantly open rangeland with scattered woody vegetation, consistent with the semi-arid savanna character of McCulloch County [NAIP-2022-09-24]. The stock tank noted in the listing context is consistent with the TWI wet-zone signature identified in the DEM derivatives [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. Cloud-free Sentinel-2 imagery acquired 2026-05-13 (0.000464% cloud cover) provides a current-season multispectral reference at 10-meter resolution [S2-2026-05-13-cloud0.0]; the May acquisition date suggests the parcel was assessed during the spring green-up period. Detailed canopy density or crop-stress analysis at sub-field resolution would require higher-resolution multispectral data beyond what is available in this screening dataset.

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5. Intended-Use Assessment

| Use | Score (1-5) | Confidence | Key Data Points | |-----|-------------|------------|-----------------| | Homestead | 5 | HIGH | Gentle mean slope, well-drained soils, elevation variation | | Orchard | 4 | MEDIUM | Well-drained soils, slope aids cold-air drainage | | Garden | 4 | MEDIUM | Well-drained soils; soil texture and depth unconfirmed | | Well | 4 | LOW-MEDIUM | Drainage class only; no water-table depth data |

Homestead (Score: 5/5 - HIGH confidence): The data establishes that mean slope of 7.2° is consistent with accessible homestead siting [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated], and the dominant well-drained soil classification supports conventional foundation approaches [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968]. The 22.2-meter elevation range indicates viewshed variation across the parcel [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. The localized steep terrain (16.8% of parcel over 15°) and the presence of Vertisolic map units [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977] warrant site-specific geotechnical review before final structure siting.

Orchard (Score: 4/5 - MEDIUM confidence): Well-drained soil classification across dominant map units suggests compatibility with orchard root-zone requirements [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968]. Mean slope of 7.2° suggests adequate cold-air drainage potential [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]. The dominant west- and northwest-facing aspect (53.4% combined) [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated] warrants consideration for species selection, as afternoon solar exposure on west-facing slopes may increase heat stress in summer. Soil depth and available water capacity cannot be confirmed without field soil borings.

Garden (Score: 4/5 - MEDIUM confidence): Well-drained soil classification across dominant map units suggests compatibility with raised or in-ground vegetable production [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968]. The 64.7% of the parcel at slopes under 5° [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated] indicates ample flat ground for garden siting. The presence of clay-dominant map units (Leeray clay [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977], Valera clay [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369978]) on portions of the parcel suggests that soil amendment requirements cannot be confirmed without on-site sampling and laboratory analysis.

Well (Score: 4/5 - LOW-MEDIUM confidence): Well-drained soil classification limited measurements indicate aquifer recharge potential [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968]. However, [DATA_GAP: no water-table depth data is available from SSURGO for any component on this parcel - drilling depth, yield estimates, and aquifer identification cannot be assessed from available public data]. The screening score of 4 reflects favorable surface conditions only. A licensed hydrogeologist review is required before any drilling decision.

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6. Well-Drilling Screening

All SSURGO components mapped on this parcel carry a well-drained classification and non-hydric rating [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369954], [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968], [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369975], [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977], [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369978], which is consistent with the absence of near-surface perched water conditions at the soil-profile scale. The TWI wet-zone proxy identifies 9.8% of the parcel in higher-accumulation zones [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated], which may indicate localized shallow moisture but does not constitute a hydrogeological assessment. [DATA_GAP: annual minimum water-table depth and April-June seasonal water-table depth are null for all mapped components - no quantitative depth-to-water estimate can be derived from available data.] McCulloch County overlies portions of the Edwards-Trinity Plateau aquifer system; however, local well yield, static water level, and required casing depth cannot be determined from this screening dataset. This section constitutes a screening-level observation only and is not a substitute for a site-specific hydrogeological survey.

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7. Recommended Next Actions

• Obtain a licensed surveyor for legal boundary confirmation and to locate the stock tank relative to any proposed structure setbacks.
• Engage a licensed hydrogeologist before any drilling decision - local aquifer depth, yield potential, and water quality in McCulloch County cannot be determined from public soils or DEM data alone.
• Commission on-site soil borings across the parcel's multiple map units, with particular attention to Leeray clay (Vertisol) zones [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977], to determine shrink-swell potential, effective soil depth, and amendment requirements for orchard and garden uses.
• Conduct field verification of the steep-terrain zones (16.8% of parcel over 15° slope [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated]) to assess erosion risk, rock outcrop extent, and suitability for access road or utility routing.
• Obtain a current Phase I environmental review and any available county well logs from the Texas Water Development Board to establish baseline water quality and historical land use context before finalizing any development plan.

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8. Data Sources & Limitations

Citations Used:

• [NAIP-2022-09-24] - NAIP aerial imagery, tile tx_m_3109947_nw_14_060_20220924, acquired 2022-09-24, 0.6 m GSD, EPSG:26914
• [S2-2026-05-13-cloud0.0] - Sentinel-2 L2A imagery, scene S2C_14RMV_20260513_0_L2A, acquired 2026-05-13, 0.000464% cloud cover, 10 m resolution, EPSG:32614
• [3DEP-3dep-lidar-dsm-undated] - USGS 3DEP LiDAR-derived digital surface model, ID USGS_LPC_TX_Lower_SanBernard_B1_2017_LAS_2019-dsm-2m-20-2, 2 m cell size; acquisition date not specified in metadata
• [SSURGO] - USDA NRCS SSURGO soils database, 6 map units intersecting parcel
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369954 - Nuvalde clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes; Nuvalde component 86%; well drained; medium runoff
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369958 - Owens and Tarrant soils, hilly; Owens 45%, Tarrant 30%; well drained; very high runoff
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369968 - Rowena clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes; Rowena component 90%; well drained; medium runoff (scorer dominant unit)
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369975 - Tarrant-Kavett complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes; Tarrant 60%, Kavett 32%; well drained; medium runoff
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369977 - Leeray clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes; Leeray component 85%; well drained; very high runoff; Vertisol/Ustert
• [SSURGO]-MUKEY-369978 - Valera clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes; Valera component 85%; well drained; medium runoff

Data Gaps:

• [DATA_GAP: annual minimum water-table depth (wt_depth_annual_min_cm) is null for all SSURGO components - quantitative depth-to-water cannot be assessed from available data, limiting well-drilling and septic screening precision]
• [DATA_GAP: April-June seasonal water-table depth (wt_depth_apr_jun_cm) is null for all SSURGO components - seasonal high water-table position cannot be confirmed]
• [DATA_GAP: LiDAR DSM acquisition date is not specified in the 3DEP metadata record - the currency of the elevation surface relative to any recent land disturbance cannot be confirmed]
• [DATA_GAP: no sub-parcel soil boring or laboratory data is available - clay mineralogy, available water capacity, effective rooting depth, and shrink-swell potential for Vertisolic map units cannot be quantified from SSURGO polygon data alone]

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*This report is a screening-level analysis derived entirely from publicly available geospatial data. It does not constitute an engineering study, hydrogeological survey, environmental assessment, or legal land-use opinion. All findings warrant ground-truthing and professional field verification before any development, investment, or permitting decision.*