Breathitt County, Kentucky
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Breathitt County, Kentucky.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelocta-Highsplint-Gilpin complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes, very stony | 76K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Gilpin-Kimper complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 66K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Marrowbone-Latham complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky | 48K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Gilpin-Marrowbone complex, 12 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky | 31K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 2 to 70 percent slopes, benched, stony | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Handshoe-Fedscreek-Shelocta complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cloverlick-Shelocta-Kimper complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chagrin-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rowdy-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents-Urban land-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 957 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 421 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Udorthents-Urban land complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 409 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded | 406 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 204 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dumps, mine and tailings | 11 | Not rated | Not rated |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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.