Gogebic County, Michigan

Survey Area MI053• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Gogebic 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
Gogebic fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony	60K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Tula-Gogebic complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, stony	53K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	28K			Not rated	Not rated
Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	28K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic fine sandy loam, 6 to 18 percent slopes, stony	28K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic fine sandy loam, sandy substratum, 6 to 18 percent slopes, stony	27K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic silt loam, 6 to 18 percent slopes, stony	25K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic fine sandy loam, sandy substratum, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony	23K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Karlin-Keweenaw-Sarona, dense substratum, complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony	17K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic silt loam, sandy substratum, 6 to 18 percent slopes, stony	16K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Pleine-Cathro-Gay complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, stony	15K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton-Pleine-Cathro complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	15K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic-Peshekee complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky, very stony	15K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Bowstring-Arnheim complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	14K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic-Tula-Lupton complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Loxley, Greenwood, and Dawson peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Flintsteel loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, stony	10K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rockland-Arnheim, frequently flooded, complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes	10K	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.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 93% 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

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.