Cumberland County, Kentucky

Survey Area KY057• Kentucky

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 Cumberland 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-Carpenter-Newbern complex, rocky, 30 to 65 percent slopes	81K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dewey-Lonewood complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Newbern-Garmon complex, very rocky, 12 to 30 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cynthiana-Faywood-Rock outcrop complex, 12 to 50 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Renox-Faywood complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Caneyville-Lonewood complex, rocky, 6 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Chagrin loam, occasionally flooded	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Renox gravelly loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	5K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Dewey loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Dewey loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Water	4K			Not rated	Not rated
Rohan channery silt loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes, gullied	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Sensabaugh gravelly loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	4K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Lonewood silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Elk silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Monongahela silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	2K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Huntington silt loam, overwash	2K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Faywood-Cynthiana complex, rocky, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded	2K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Nelse fine sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, frequently flooded	2K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Newark silt loam, occasionally flooded	2K	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 88% 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 88% 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.