Aiken Soil Series
USDA Code: CA0004
K-Factor
0.28
Soil Erodibility Factor
Texture Class
clay loam
Drainage Class
well drained
About Aiken
Deep, well drained soils formed in material weathered from basic volcanic rocks, primarily andesite and basalt. Profile features a clay-enriched argillic horizon. Found on rolling uplands and ridges at 1,000–4,500 ft elevation with slopes of 2 to 75 percent.
K factor values are sourced from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SSURGO database.
Using Aiken in a RUSLE calculation
For a California construction project, use the soil K factor with rainfall erosivity, slope length and steepness, cover management, and support practice inputs. The K factor represents the soil erodibility portion of the model, so selecting the soil series that matches the site is important for defensible stormwater documentation.
In a SWPPP workflow, the practical question is not just what soil type is mapped near the project. It is whether the mapped series, K factor, and drainage assumptions match the site evidence well enough to support the RUSLE or RUSLE2 calculation.
California Distribution
One of the most extensive soils of the Sierra Nevada foothills, covering large areas of the Mother Lode region. Widely mapped across the western Sierra counties from El Dorado south through Mariposa.
Counties Where Found
Aiken soil FAQ
What is the K factor for Aiken soil?
Aiken has a listed K factor of 0.28 in the Rapid RUSLE soil directory. Confirm final values against project specific soil survey data before submitting permit documents.
Where is Aiken soil found in California?
Aiken is mapped in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, and other California counties. County mapping is based on available soil series data and should be verified for the exact project location.
How is Aiken used in RUSLE erosion calculations?
Use the Aiken K factor as the soil erodibility input in RUSLE or RUSLE2, along with rainfall, slope, cover, and support practice factors for the site.
Calculate erosion risk with Aiken soil data
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