Keweenaw County Area, Michigan
The most common soil here is Montreal, on about 12% of the land: a cobbly fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Munising and Skanee come next.
About 24% of the land drains well, and 31% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 82% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 20% 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 Keweenaw County Area, 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 Keweenaw County Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal-Paavola-Dishno complex, dissected, 8 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 19K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montreal-Paavola-Waiska complex, dissected, 8 to 35 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Skanee-Gay complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gratiot-Sabattis complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arcadian-Dishno-Rock outcrop complex, dissected, 8 to 35 percent slopes, very bouldery | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Skanee complex, dissected, 4 to 18 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lupton and Tawas soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arcadian-Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 70 percent slopes, extremely bouldery | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montreal-Paavola-Waiska complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montreal-Paavola-Dishno complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes, very rocky, very bouldery | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawas-Deford complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Skanee complex, dissected, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munising-Yalmer complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monteal-Dishno-Gratiot complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arcadian-Nipissing-Rock outcrop complex, dissected, 8 to 35 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histosols and Aquents, ponded | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trimountain-Lac La Belle-Michigamme complex, dissected, 15 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky, extremely bouldery | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres-Deford-Croswell complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlic-Alcona complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Well 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 91% 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 95% 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.