Alger County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Kalkaska, on about 18% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Rubicon and Garlic come next.
About 50% of the land drains well, and 27% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 51% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% 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 14% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Alger County, Michigan, 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Alger 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 50K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 46K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shoepac-Trenary silt loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Shoepac-Ensley complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Dawson, and Greenwood peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska-Cusino complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Garlic sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawas-Deford mucks | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlic sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes, severely burned | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer-Frohling complex, calcareous substratum, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlevoix-Ensley complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Finch-Kinross complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chippeny-Nahma mucks | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paquin-Finch sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dillingham-Kalkaska complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | 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 59% 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 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.