Branch County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Fox, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Locke and Barry come next.
About 37% of the land drains well, and 55% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 54% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% 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.
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 Branch 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/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 Branch 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locke fine sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fox sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hillsdale-Riddles sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Barry loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 23K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fox sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sebewa loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matherton sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oshtemo sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Teasdale fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edwards muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ormas loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Branch loamy sand, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Elmdale fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adrian muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatmaker loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cohoctah sandy loam | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kidder fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brady sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly 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 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.