Menominee County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Onaway, on about 18% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Lupton and Cathro come next.
About 44% of the land drains well, and 54% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 74% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 6% 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 Menominee 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 59% 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 69% 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.