Hopkins County, Kentucky

Survey Area KY107• Kentucky

The dominant drainage class is Moderately 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 Hopkins 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
Frondorf-Lenberg silt loams, 12 to 30 percent slopes	48K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Belknap silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	42K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	29K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Zanesville silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Zanesville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Karnak silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	17K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Fairpoint-Bethesda complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Zanesville silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded	17K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bethesda-Fairpoint complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bonnie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	14K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Karnak silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	12K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sharon silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	10K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Fairpoint-Bethesda complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Sadler silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Robbs silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	9K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	7K			Not rated	Not rated
Bonnie and Karnak soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, ponded	7K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Steinsburg-Ramsey loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
McGary silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/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.

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 97% 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 97% 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.