Cheboygan County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Rubicon, on about 12% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Cheboygan and Blue Lake come next.
About 45% of the land drains well, and 37% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 36% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 54% 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 1% 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 Cheboygan 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Cheboygan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 52K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tawas peat | 28K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cheboygan loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 18K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Roscommon muck | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cheboygan loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Riggsville loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blue Lake loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | 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 |
| Cheboygan loamy sand, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, banded substratum, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| East Lake sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bowstring muck, frequently flooded | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blue Lake loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | 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 54% 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 89% 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.