Marquette County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Rubicon, on about 6% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Carbondale and Keewaydin come next.
About 55% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 47% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 65% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% 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 Marquette 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 Marquette 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 and Tawas soils | 82K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 51K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 70 percent slopes, very bouldery | 40K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 32K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Keewaydin-Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes, very bouldery | 30K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Histosols and Aquents, ponded | 23K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dishno-Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes, very bouldery | 21K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Keewaydin-Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very bouldery | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keewaydin-Dishno complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes, rocky, bouldery | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sayner-Rubicon complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon-Keweenaw complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes, very bouldery | 17K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shoepac-Trenary silt loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood and Dawson soils | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawas-Deford mucks | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keweenaw-Kalkaska-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes, very bouldery | 13K | Well drained | A | 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 65% 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 91% 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.