Montmorency County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Graycalm, on about 12% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Millersburg and Grayling come next.
About 61% of the land drains well, and 25% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 32% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 45% 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.
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 Montmorency 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 (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Montmorency 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawas and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 38K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grayling sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Graycalm sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Millersburg loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Graycalm sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Millersburg loamy sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Millersburg-Klacking-Graycalm complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Millersburg-Klacking-Graycalm complex, 6 to 18 slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Klacking sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Klacking sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mancelona-Millersburg-Blue Lake complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Deford-Au Gres-Croswell complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ossineke fine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deford muck | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Graycalm sand, 18 to 45 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Horsehead-Graycalm sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not 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 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 89% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.