Pike County, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Marrowbone, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Fedscreek and Myra come next.
About 99% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 98% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% 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 Pike County, 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 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 Pike 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrowbone-Clifftop-Matewan complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes, very rocky | 152K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Handshoe-Fedscreek-Shelocta complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 65K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myra very channery silt loam, 30 to 70 percent slopes, stony | 52K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cloverlick-Shelocta-Kimper complex, 20 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 51K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimper-Sharondale-Muskingum complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 50K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fedscreek-Marrowbone-Dekalb complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 46K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marrowbone-Fedscreek-Myra complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes, very stony | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hayter-Potomac-Stokly complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anthroportic Udorthents-Urban land-Grigsby complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myra very channery silt loam, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kimper-Sharondale-Muskingum complex, 35 to 80 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Fedscreek-Gilpin-Marrowbone complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks-Rock outcrop-Marrowbone complex, 60 to 120 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dumps, mine and tailings | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Anthroportic Udorthents-Urban land-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes, benched | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Anthroportic Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hayter loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yeager loam, frequently flooded | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grigsby-Yeager complex, occasionally flooded | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 98% 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 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.