Hersh Digging Inc
Kenesaw, NEAdams County
excavation, septic systems, trenching underground
54 years in business
Adams County, NE Contractor directory
Excavation contractors in Adams County, NE
1 verified excavating and site work contractor serving Adams County.
County excavation guide
Ground conditions and project requirements in Adams County
Use this local research to understand soil, seasonal constraints, permits, and jobsite logistics before choosing a contractor.
Skip to 1 contractorSoil Regime ProfileEPA Ecoregion 25, 27, 44 (Western High Plains, Central Great Plains, Nebraska Sand Hills)
Nebraska Sandhills, Loess Plains & Eastern Till Margin
Dominant Soil Order: Mollisols / Entisols / Aridisols
Parent Material: Eolian Sand Dunes (Sandhills), Peorian Loess and Till-Derived Silt Loam in the East, Ogallala Gravel and Caliche below
Nebraska grades from the deep eolian sand of the Sandhills in the center-west to loess-capped till plains in the east, and the excavation story changes with it. The Sandhills counties (Cherry, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas) are pure dune sand: digging is trivial but trench walls collapse immediately, groundwater sits within a few feet in the interdunal valleys, and septic systems are standard trenches with generous separation because the sand filters so well. The loess plains and the eastern counties (Lincoln, Omaha fringe) are silty loam over till and Ogallala gravel: diggable, with caliche and gravel hardpan in the western draws, and the state's modest shrink-swell (plains average under 3 percent) concentrated in the Republican River valley clays. Slope is minimal statewide (6 percent average) except along the Niobrara and the Panhandle breaks. Hydric soils concentrate in the Sandhills wetlands and the Rainwater Basin. Frost runs 36-42 inches. Rock is absent except in the Panhandle escarpments.
Geographic Footprint:Nebraska's counties (Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte) run from till-plain loess in the east to pure Sandhills dune sand in the center-west: easy digging, collapsing sand trenches, high water in the dunal valleys, and caliche in the western Panhandle. The 36-42 inch frost line shapes all utility work.
Geotechnical Baseline
Physical Ground Conditions & Soil Properties
Shallow Bedrock (<50 in)
0.0%of county land area
Deep soil mantle; rock refusal rare for standard basement or trench cuts.
High Shrink-Swell Clay
0.0%expansive soil
Low volumetric expansion risk in native subgrade.
Median Water Table Depth
6inches from surface
Shallow water table; active dewatering or sumps needed for deep trenching.
Hydric / Wetland Soils
2.6%hydric coverage
Indicates poor natural drainage and potential jurisdictional wetland pockets.
Steep Terrain (Slope >15%)
4.6%of terrain
Predominantly gentle to rolling slopes suitable for wheeled earthmoving.
Septic Severe Limitations
75.6%severe rate
High rate of conventional drainfield limitations; engineered or drip systems often required.
Dominant Soil Textures:Silt loamSilty clay loamLoamy fine sand
Surface Stones / Boulders: 0.0% coverage
Compliance & Permitting
Earthwork Regulations & Permit Thresholds
Stormwater & Erosion Control
Nebraska NPDES Construction Storm Water General Permit NER210000 (NDEE/DWEE; effective Dec 1, 2021, expires Nov 30, 2026). Covers land disturbance equal to or greater than one acre, and less than one acre if part of a common plan of development or sale. NOI, CERT document from Game and Parks, and SWPPP required.
Administers NPDES stormwater discharge coverage for land-disturbing construction activities.
State Threshold:1.00 Acre
Local Threshold:Follows state
Onsite Wastewater & Utilities
Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment
Jurisdiction over septic tank permits, soil evaluation perk tests, and drainfield sizing.
Housing on Septic:55.0%
Soil Evaluation:Site evaluation by a PE, registered environmental health specialist, or journeyman or master installer; percolation tests by certified professionals; borings if seasonal high water is under 10 ft
811 One-Call Requirements
Nebraska811
Mandatory notice window: 48 hours prior to mechanized earthwork (excluding weekends and legal holidays).
Licensing & Clearing Permits
Weather & Ecology
Seasonal Constraints & Clearing Windows
Frozen Ground Days
30days / year
Typical days with sub-freezing soil conditions affecting digging.
Wet Season Months
April, May, June, July, August
Peak precipitation window requiring sediment traps and soil aeration.
Supply Chain & Hazards
Logistics, Aggregate Sources & Geohazards
Aggregate & Material Supply
Schaaf Pit
Nearest active quarry: 18.1 miles haul distance.(13 active crushed stone/sand operations within 50 miles).
Flood & Hazard Overlay
FEMA 100-Yr Flood:11.4%(100% NFHL digital map coverage)
NWI Wetlands:3.6%jurisdictional coverage
Karst Terrain & Sinkhole Risk: Low
68.8% of county underlain by soluble carbonate rock formations.
HUC8 Primary Watersheds:Middle Platte-Buffalo, Upper Little Blue, West Fork Big Blue, Wood
Public conservation land: 1.4% (USGS PAD-US).
Area-specific FAQ
Do I need to call before digging in Adams County?
Yes. You should contact Nebraska 811 at least 2 working days before any digging so underground lines can be marked.
How deep do footings need to be in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, footings typically need to extend below the frost line, which is around 36 inches here. A local contractor will confirm the code requirement for your site.
Verified local listings
Excavation contractors serving Adams County
1 verified listing