Ontonagon County, Michigan

Survey Area MI131• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Ontonagon 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
Big Iron-Flintsteel-Gull Point, frequently flooded, complex, dissected, 1 to 15 percent slopes	64K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Amnicon silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes	34K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Flintsteel loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	27K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Big Iron silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cuttre clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Loggerhead loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Flintsteel-Watton-Gull Point, frequently flooded, complex, dissected, 1 to 35 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rockland-Moquah, frequently flooded-Watton complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes	16K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Karlin-Keweenaw-Sarona, dense substratum, complex, 6 to 25 percent slopes	15K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Sanborg silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rockland-Moquah, frequently flooded, complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony	12K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Negwegon silty clay, 2 to 6 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cuttre-Bergland complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic silt loam, 6 to 18 percent slopes, stony	12K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	12K			Not rated	Not rated
Tula-Gogebic complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, stony	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Badriver-Sanborg complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loggerhead-Big Iron-Belding complex, dissected, 1 to 35 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loggerhead loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very 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.

Spodosols

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

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 96% 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 96% 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.