Jackson and Owsley Counties, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Shelocta, on about 32% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Gilpin and Steinsburg come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 86% 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 Jackson and Owsley 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 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 Jackson and Owsley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelocta-Gilpin complex, 20 to 65 percent slopes, stony | 182K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steinsburg and Gilpin soils and rock outcrop, steep | 37K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Shelocta-Cutshin-Gilpin complex, 20 to 75 percent slopes, very stony | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Rayne-Sequoia silt loams, 12 to 25 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rigley-Rock outcrop association, steep | 17K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faywood-Cynthiana-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bledsoe silt loam, steep, very rocky | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilpin-Rayne silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rowdy silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily and Gilpin soils, moderately steep | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bethesda-Fairpoint complex, steep, benched | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta and Caneyville soils and rock outcrop, steep | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby-Orrville variant complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lily and Gilpin soils, sloping | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Huntington loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 1K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Allegheny variant silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 999 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Riney-Allegheny complex, 4 to 12 percent slopes | 900 | Well drained | A | Not 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 97% 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 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.