Alcona County, Michigan

Survey Area MI001• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Alcona County, Michigan. 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
Klacking-McGinn loamy sands, 8 to 50 percent slopes, dissected	25K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tacoda-Wakeley complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	16K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
McGinn loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Lupton muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes	14K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	13K			Not rated	Not rated
Grayling sand, calcareous substratum, nearly level and undulating	11K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Alfic Haplorthods, sandy over loamy-Alfic Haplorthods, sandy complex, rolling	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Klacking loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Algonquin silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tawas muck	9K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Graycalm sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hoist sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Algonquin-Springport complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Glennie loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Klacking loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Tawas-Au Gres complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	6K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
McGinn loamy sand, 12 to 18 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Zimmerman-Annalake complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes	6K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Chinwhisker sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Typic Udipsamments, banded substratum, nearly level and undulating	6K	Excessively drained	A	Not 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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Spodosols

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

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 85% 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.