Allegan County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Plainfield, on about 16% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Chelsea and Capac come next.
About 45% of the land drains well, and 49% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 53% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% 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 Allegan 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Allegan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield sand, lake plain, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 86K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chelsea loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Capac loam, Lake Michigan lobe, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blount silt loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo-Chelsea complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rimer loamy sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield sand, lake plain, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Granby loamy sand, lake plain, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, lake moderated, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ockley loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Capac-Marlette loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glendora loamy sand | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tedrow fine sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thetford loamy fine sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morocco-Newton complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pipestone sand, lake moderated, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo-Chelsea complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Metea loamy fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Capac-Wixom complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | 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 53% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.