Kern County, California, Northwestern Part

Survey Area CA666• California

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 92% 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 47% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.