Mackinac County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Wallace, on about 7% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Lupton and Carbondale come next.
About 33% of the land drains well, and 54% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 66% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 83% 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 7% 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 Mackinac 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Mackinac 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 79K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 47K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 45K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Wallace sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelica muck | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickford silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spot-Finch complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markey-Spot-Finch complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leafriver-Croswell-Wainola complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shelter very cobbly loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes, stony | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guardlake fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Amadon-Longrie sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes, rocky | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Battydoe fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony | 13K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Solona loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deford and Leafriver soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springlake loamy coarse sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Histosols and Aquents, ponded | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eastport-Leafriver complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amadon-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paquin sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | 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 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.