Marshall County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Riddles, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Crosier and Oshtemo come next.
About 41% of the land drains well, and 52% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 57% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Marshall County, Indiana, 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 Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Marshall County, Indiana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riddles-Oshtemo fine sandy loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crosier loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brookston loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Whitaker loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riddles-Metea complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Riddles-Oshtemo fine sandy loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Riddles-Metea complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oshtemo sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilford mucky sandy loam, till plain, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Selfridge-Crosier complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brady sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brems-Morocco loamy sands, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Gilford mucky sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, gravelly subsoil | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Owosso sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bronson sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | B | 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 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.