Gladwin County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Nester, on about 8% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Roscommon and Pipestone come next.
About 27% of the land drains well, and 61% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% 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 Gladwin 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/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 Gladwin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roscommon soils | 14K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nester loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Epoufette sandy loam | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Selfridge loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Brevort loamy sand | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gladwin loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iosco-Brevort-Ingalls association | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Covert sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pipestone sand, Erie-Huron Lake Plain, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sims loam | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kawkawlin loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parkhill loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allendale sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pipestone-Kinross association | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nester loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Roscommon-Deford association | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling-Covert-Pipestone association | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kawkawlin loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon-Ocqueoc-Ingalls association, undulating | 4K | Somewhat 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 73% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.