Menominee County, Michigan

Survey Area MI109• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Menominee 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
Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, drumlin, 1 to 6 percent slopes	121K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Lupton-Cathro association	87K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes	55K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cathro-Ensley complex	48K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Deford-Wainola-Rousseau complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes	35K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tawas-Deford complex	21K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Onaway-Solona complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Pemene-Rubicon complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Nadeau fine sandy loam, 3 to 12 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Solona loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Emmet fine sandy loam, drumlins, 1 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Onaway-Rousseau complex, 3 to 12 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Onaway-Nadeau fine sandy loams, 3 to 12 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Cunard-Onaway fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Ensley muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes	10K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nahma-Sundell-Summerville complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cathro-Solona-Onaway complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Deford and Leafriver soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Summerville-Cunard fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Onaway fine sandy loam, drumlin, 6 to 18 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat 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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Entisols

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

Mollisols

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

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 65% 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

Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.