Soil series profile

Kidman soil series

Kidman is a well drained soil with a fine sandy loam surface, mapped on 72,430 acres in 9 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group A.

#4521 by mapped area coarse-loamy Calcic Haploxerolls (Mollisols)

Drainage class: Well drained
Hydrologic group: A
Typical topsoil pH: 7.6
Mapped area: 72k

Typical Kidman profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

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Typical Kidman horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–11 in (H1)	Fine sandy loam	7.5	13%	67%	2%
11–17 in (H2)	Fine sandy loam	7.3	14%	67%	2%
17–27 in (H3)	Fine sandy loam	7.3	16%	67%	0.75%
27–37 in (H4)	Fine sandy loam	7.9	12%	67%	0.25%
37–49 in (H5)	Very fine sandy loam	7.8	13%	63%	0.25%
49–60 in (H6)	Very fine sandy loam	7.8	10%	63%	0.25%

Representative values from the most extensive Kidman map unit (Kidman fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, survey area UT607). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

What this means

What Kidman soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Kidman soils is slightly alkaline: pH 7.6 (most land between 7.2 and 7.9). Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).

Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 96% of mapped Kidman acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is fine sandy loam (74% of mapped Kidman acres).

96% of mapped Kidman acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.

For lawns and yards

66% of mapped acres is in hydrologic group A, where water soaks in fast. Lawns there dry out quickly; deeper, less frequent watering and organic matter help.

For a septic system

For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 74% of the acres in mapped Kidman soils very limited, 22% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (4% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).

Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.

Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Kidman soil is found

Mapped acres

Kidman is mapped in Utah and Idaho.

Counties with the most mapped Kidman soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Davis County, UT	14,079	9.8%
Cache County, UT	12,322	2.5%
Franklin County, ID	10,411	2.4%
Salt Lake County, UT	9,449	1.9%
Box Elder County, UT	8,930	0.2%
Weber County, UT	6,354	1.9%
Oneida County, ID	5,961	0.9%
Utah County, UT	3,896	0.4%
Millard County, UT	871	0.1%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Kidman acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 22%

Very limited 74%

Not rated 4%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Kidman acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Kidman acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	21.7%
Very limited	74.4%
Not rated	3.9%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Kidman acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 4.3 feet (51 in) (median where reported).
Flooding: Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
Slope: Typically 1–5% (median 1%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 2%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 82%

Moderately well drained 14%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 0%

Very poorly drained 0%

Not rated 4%

Drainage class across mapped Kidman acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Kidman acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	82.4%
Moderately well drained	13.8%
Somewhat poorly drained	0.0%
Poorly drained	0.0%
Very poorly drained	0.0%
Not rated	3.9%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 66%

B: moderate infiltration 31%

C: slow infiltration 0%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 0%

A/D: D as is, A if drained 0%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 0%

Not rated 4%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Kidman acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Kidman acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	65.5%
B: moderate infiltration	30.5%
C: slow infiltration	0.0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	0.0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained	0.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained	0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained	0.0%
Not rated	3.9%

Sources & data dates

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
Data date: SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
Scope: All map unit components named Kidman (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 72,430 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Kidman components. The profile comes from the single largest Kidman component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Kidman.