Branch County, Michigan
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 59% 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.