Knott and Letcher Counties, Kentucky

Survey Area KY626• Kentucky

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Knott and Letcher 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-Highsplint-Gilpin complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	72K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cloverlick-Kimper-Highsplint complex, 30 to 65 percent slopes, very stony	66K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Handshoe-Fedscreek-Shelocta complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	59K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Kaymine, Fairpoint, and Fiveblock soils, benched, 2 to 70 percent slopes, very stony	52K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cloverlick-Shelocta-Kimper complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	46K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Dekalb-Gilpin-Rayne complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes, very rocky	39K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Matewan-Gilpin-Marrowbone complex, 12 to 80 percent slopes, very rocky	39K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Fiveblock and Kaymine soils, 0 to 30 percent slopes, stony	10K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents-Urban land-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	9K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Cloverlick-Guyandotte-Highsplint complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Rowdy-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents-Urban land-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Alticrest-Ramsey-Wallen complex, 20 to 55 percent slopes, rocky	4K	Somewhat excessively 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
Varilla-Jefferson-Alticrest complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes, very rocky	3K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Kimper-Cloverlick-Renox complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony	3K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin-Summers-Kimper complex, 20 to 55 percent slopes, very stony	3K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Highsplint-Shelocta-Muse complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony	2K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Highsplint-Shelocta-Dekalb complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, very stony	2K	Well drained	A	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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 100% 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 100% 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.