Delta County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Kalkaska, on about 8% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Charlevoix and Lupton come next.
About 37% of the land drains well, and 56% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 62% of it.
USDA rates 86% 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: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 11% 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 Delta 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 Delta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 116K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlevoix sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 55K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ensley muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 47K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 44K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trenary fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roscommon mucky loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 34K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 33K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Dawson, and Greenwood peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 26K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, moraine, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Nahma muck | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 18K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Summerville fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Limestone rock land | 16K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sundell fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Longrie sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | C | 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 shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.