Chippewa County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Pickford, on about 9% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Kalkaska and Rubicon come next.
About 27% of the land drains well, and 54% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 73% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Chippewa 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/D (varies with drainage). 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 Chippewa 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 | 139K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 108K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickford silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 80K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 53K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 53K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rudyard silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelter very stony loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Dawson, and Greenwood peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gogomain very fine sandy loam | 20K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deer Park fine sand, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Markey-Kinross-Au Gres complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickford silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinross-Au Gres complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deer Park-Kinross complex, 0 to 50 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Posen stony fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wainola-Kinross-Rousseau complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histosols and Aquents, ponded | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ermatinger silt loam | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Soo silty clay loam | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | A | 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 66% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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.