Marquette County, Michigan
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 69% 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 93% 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.