Pike County, Kentucky
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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.
| 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 |
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 98% 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.