Kern County, California, Southwest Part
The most common soil here is Guijarral, on about 7% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cerini and Kimberlina come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% 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 21% 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, Southwest 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 91% 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 57% 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
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.