Kern County, California, Northwestern Part
The most common soil here is Kimberlina, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Panoche and Milham come next.
About 89% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 62% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 11% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Kern County, California, Northwestern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Kern County, California, Northwestern Part. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberlina fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes MLRA 17 | 117K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Milham sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes MLRA 17 | 97K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Panoche clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Garces silt loam | 86K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wasco sandy loam | 81K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nahrub, drained-Lethent complex | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calflax clay loam, saline-sodic, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 34K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McFarland loam | 32K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buttonwillow clay, drained | 26K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimberlina sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Twisselman clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Panoche clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kilmer-Hillbrick complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lokern clay, drained | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kimberlina-Urban land-Cajon complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | A | Very limited | Not rated | |
| Elkhills-Torriorthents stratified, eroded complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delano sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Granoso sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, overwash | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Granoso loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimberlina gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 62% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.