Kern County, California, Southwest Part

Survey Area CA691• California

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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, Southwest 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
Cerini loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	44K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Guijarral-Klipstein complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Calflax loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Excelsior sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17	20K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Guijarral gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Kimberlina fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes MLRA 17	16K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Bakersfield fine sandy loam, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Loslobos-Xeric Torriorthents, very gravelly-Badland association, 30 to 50 percent slopes	14K	Well drained		Very limited	Very limited
Premier sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Copus silty clay, partially drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	14K	Very poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Kimberlina fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Guijarral sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Area not surveyed, access denied	13K			Not rated	Not rated
Littlesignal-Badland-Cochora association, 15 to 75 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Pleito-Emidio-Loslobos association, 15 to 75 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Lokern clay, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Garces loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Excelsior fine sandy loam, saline-sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Loslobos-Calleguas association, 30 to 100 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Oldriver loam, partially drained, sodic, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	B	Very limited	Very 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.

Mollisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Vertisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 89% 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 36% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.