Kings County, California
The most common soil here is Tulare, on about 12% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Nord and Kimberlina come next.
About 45% of the land drains well, and 41% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates 77% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 20% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Kings County, California, 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 Kings County, California. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulare clay, partially drained, MLRA 17 | 118K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lethent clay loam | 50K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Kimberlina fine sandy loam, saline-alkali | 37K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Panoche loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Westcamp loam, partially drained | 34K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Armona loam, partially drained | 30K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gepford clay, partially drained | 30K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wasco sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Nord complex | 29K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nord fine sandy loam | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gepford clay, sandy substratum, partially drained | 27K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kettleman-Cantua complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houser clay, partially drained | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimberlina saline alkali-Garces complex | 17K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Delgado sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kettleman loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Calflax clay loam, saline-sodic, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17 | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakeside loam, partially drained | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimberlina fine sandy loam, sandy substratum | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Gaviota-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 11K | Well drained | D | 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 62% 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 77% 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.