Baraga County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Champion, on about 15% of the land: a cobbly silt loam, smooth, like flour. Munising and Michigamme come next.
About 33% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 54% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 16% 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 Baraga 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Baraga 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 and Tacoosh mucks | 55K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Champion cobbly silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 41K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Champion-Michigamme cobbly silt loams, rocky, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer loamy sands, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Skanee loamy sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising loamy sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 18K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Champion-Michigamme cobbly silt loams, rocky, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Champion-Net complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Witbeck-Tacoosh complex,very stony | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Champion cobbly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rousseau-Ocqueoc fine sands, dissected, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dawson, Greenwood, and Loxley soils. 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer loamy sands, dissected, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histosols and Aquents, 0 to 1 percent slopes, ponded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Assinins-Skanee complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnheim mucky silt loam | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amasa cobbly silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 100% 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.