Baraga County, Michigan
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 95% 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.