Bath County, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Lowell, on about 13% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Faywood and Cynthiana come next.
About 79% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 67% 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 Bath County, Kentucky, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Bath 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthiana-Faywood complex, rocky, 20 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Gilpin silt loams, 20 to 60 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Faywood silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Faywood silt loams, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Sandview silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trappist-Muse silt loams, 20 to 60 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cynthiana-Faywood complex, very rocky, 6 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shrouts-Beasley complex, 20 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shrouts-Beasley-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eden-Lowell complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boonewood silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brownsville-Berks channery silt loams, 30 to 70 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Beasley silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Beasley-Shrouts silt loams, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotaco loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newark silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 6 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Melvin silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lawrence silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly 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 85% 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 94% 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.