Iosco County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Grayling, on about 22% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Au Gres and Deford come next.
About 39% of the land drains well, and 43% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 45% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 61% 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 Iosco 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Iosco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayling sand, calcareous substratum, nearly level and undulating | 39K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tawas and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Deford muck | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Grayling sand, very deep water table, nearly level and undulating | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Graycalm sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kawkawlin sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Borosaprists, euic | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres-Deford complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nester sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morganlake sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, nearly level and undulating | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Borosaprists, euic-Fluvaquents-Aquic Udipsamments complex, nearly level | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mcivor-Wakeley complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, nearly level and undulating | 4K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, calcareous substratum, rolling | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 61% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.