Presque Isle County, Michigan

Survey Area MI141• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/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 Presque Isle 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
Water	22K			Not rated	Not rated
Cathro muck	21K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hessel mucky flaggy loam, bedrock substratum	16K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	15K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Tawas muck	15K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cheboygan loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Onaway fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Detour flaggy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton muck, lake moderated, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Krakow flaggy fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Brevort mucky loamy sand	10K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Emmet sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Omena fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
East Lake sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Roscommon muck	8K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Croswell sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	8K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Hessel loam	8K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hettinger loam	8K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rubicon sand, 6 to 18 percent slopes	7K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bowers silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly 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.

Alfisols

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

Spodosols

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

Entisols

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

Mollisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 90% 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.