Ontonagon County, Michigan
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
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.