Iosco County, Michigan

Survey Area MI069• Michigan

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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

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.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 93% 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.