Newaygo County, Michigan

Survey Area MI123• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Excessively 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 Newaygo 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
Plainfield sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	52K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Coloma sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	28K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Coloma sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes	27K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Brems sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes	24K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Covert sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes	19K	Moderately well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Kingsville mucky sand	19K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Pipestone sand, lake moderated cool, 0 to 4 percent slopes	18K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Glendora mucky sand	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	13K			Not rated	Not rated
Plainfield sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes	13K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Metea-Marlette-Spinks complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Marlette loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Metea-Marlette-Spinks complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Grattan sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Spinks-Metea-Coloma complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Adrian muck, lake moderated cool, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Spinks loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Coloma sand, 12 to 30 percent slopes	9K	Excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Metea loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Grattan, banded substratum-Metea complex, 6 to 18 percent slopes	8K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat 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.

Alfisols

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

Entisols

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

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.

Inceptisols

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

Mollisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 32% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.