Alpena County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Ossineke, on about 10% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Deford and Slade come next.
About 18% of the land drains well, and 51% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 64% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 78% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Alpena 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 C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Alpena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ossineke fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Deford muck | 18K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slade loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tacoda-Wakeley complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 14K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawas muck | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morganlake loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton muck, lake moderated, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Namur channery silt loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | D | Not limited | Not limited |
| Cathro muck | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tonkey silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iosco loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawas-Au Gres complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres-Deford complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelica loam | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hoist sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alpena gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chippeny muck | 6K | Very 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 78% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.