Houghton County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Munising, on about 13% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Kalkaska and Graveraet come next.
About 32% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 72% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% 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 Houghton 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 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 Houghton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munising-Skanee complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Munising loamy fine sand, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graveraet fine sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes, stony | 16K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skanee-Gay complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Alcona-Liminga complex, dissected, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montreal-Paavola-Waiska complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vilas loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Deford-Tawas complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Liminga fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dawson, Greenwood and Loxley soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graveraet-Misery complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska-Waiska sands, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Loggerhead loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graveraet fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montreal-Net complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | 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 76% 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 94% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.