Bourbon and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Faywood, on about 21% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Eden and Lowell come next.
About 95% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 2% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 65% 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 Bourbon and Nicholas Counties, 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Bourbon and Nicholas Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden flaggy silty clay, 20 to 30 percent slopes, severely eroded | 57K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Sandview silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bluegrass-Maury silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Faywood silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eden flaggy silty clay, 6 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded | 20K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| McAfee silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood silty clay loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nolin silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cynthiana-Faywood complex, very rocky, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell-Bluegrass silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maury-Bluegrass silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lowell-Faywood silt loams, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elk silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cynthiana-Faywood complex, very rocky, 20 to 35 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lowell variant-Nicholson complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McAfee silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | 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 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.