Floyd and Johnson Counties, Kentucky
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Floyd and Johnson Counties, Kentucky.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handshoe-Fedscreek-Shelocta complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 93K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matewan-Gilpin-Marrowbone complex, 12 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky | 85K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cloverlick-Shelocta-Kimper complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 58K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Handshoe-Fedscreek complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, stony | 41K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton-Fedscreek-Kimper complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 39K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 20 to 70 percent slopes, stony | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Fedscreek-Marrowbone complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Grigsby-Stokly complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Myra very channery fine sandy loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anthroportic Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint-Bethesda complex, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Potomac-Shelocta-Grigsby complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Fedscreek-Shelocta complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nelse loam, 4 to 25 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dumps, mine and tailings | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Myra very channery fine sandy loam, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Shelocta loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 95% 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 98% 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.