Soil survey area

Adair County, Kentucky

Survey Area KY001• Kentucky

The short version

The most common soil here is Garmon, on about 21% of the land: a channery silt loam, smooth, like flour. Frederick and Frankstown come next.

About 82% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.

USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 43% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Adair County, Kentucky, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Garmon

21% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Frederick

20% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

Frankstown

10% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

Pricetown

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Ultisols

Weikert

4% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Culleoka

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

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 Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Adair County, Kentucky. 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
Garmon channery silt loam, 20 to 70 percent slopes	64K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	23K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Frederick silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded	21K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Frederick-Caneyville complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes, rocky	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Frankstown gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded	13K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Frankstown gravelly silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	11K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Pricetown silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Sano silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Culleoka complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Nolin silt loam, occasionally flooded	7K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Weikert-Culleoka complex, 12 to 20 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pricetown silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Needmore silt loam, 6 to 20 percent slopes, very rocky	5K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Skidmore gravelly loam, frequently flooded	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Teddy silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	5K			Not rated	Not rated
Carpenter-Lenberg complex, 12 to 40 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Otwood silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Otwood silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Newark silt loam, occasionally flooded	3K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/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.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 75% 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 82% 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.

Look Up a Specific Address