Soil survey area

Aroostook County, Maine, Southern Part

Survey Area ME608• Maine

The short version

The most common soil here is Howland, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Thorndike and Plaisted come next.

About 44% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 59% of it.

USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 79% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% of it.

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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Aroostook County, Maine, Southern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Howland

20% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Spodosols

Thorndike

16% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · somewhat excessively drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Spodosols

Plaisted

14% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Spodosols

Monarda

10% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Burnham

9% of the area

Channery silt loam topsoil · very poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Mapleton

4% of the area

Channery loam topsoil · well drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

Inceptisols

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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Aroostook County, Maine, Southern Part. 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
Monarda-Burnham complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony	91K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Howland loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	75K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Monarda-Burnham complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	70K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Howland gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	68K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Plaisted-Howland association, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	67K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Thorndike channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky	64K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Monarda-Burnham complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes	57K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Peat and Muck	49K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Thorndike channery silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rocky	48K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Plaisted-Howland association, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	37K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Plaisted loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	31K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Plaisted gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Water bodies	29K			Not rated	Not rated
Plaisted gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	28K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Mapleton shaly silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Thorndike-Howland association, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very rocky	24K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Thorndike-Howland association, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky	23K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Thorndike channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, very rocky	20K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Plaisted loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	18K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Conant silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C	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.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 96% 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.

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