Knox and Eastern Part of Whitley Counties, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Shelocta, on about 35% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Latham and Dekalb come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 82% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 92% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 77% 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 Knox and Eastern Part of Whitley 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 Knox and Eastern Part of Whitley 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-Latham complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes, stony | 187K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latham-Dekalb complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 73K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stendal silt loam, frequently flooded | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta-Latham silt loams, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta channery silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fairpoint and Bethesda soils, 20 to 70 percent slopes, stony | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wernock silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Latham silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelocta gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morehead silt loam, rarely flooded | 4K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Huntington silt loam, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wernock silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bonnie silt loam, frequently flooded | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latham silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allegheny loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Newark silt loam, occasionally flooded | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stokly fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Whitley silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat 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 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.