Sanilac County, Michigan

Survey Area MI151• Michigan

The dominant drainage class is Poorly 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 Sanilac 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
Parkhill loam and clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	101K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Conover loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	77K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Parkhill loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	70K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Parkhill loam and mucky loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	27K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Londo loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Saverine and Iosco fine sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guelph loam and silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, slightly eroded	14K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Tonkey and Bach fine sandy loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sloan, frequently flooded, and Ceresco, occasionally flooded, soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes	12K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guelph loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, slightly eroded	12K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Melita and Arenac loamy sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes, slightly eroded	9K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Guelph loam and silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
McBride fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, slightly eroded	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Marlette loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, slightly eroded	7K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Guelph loam and silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, slightly eroded	7K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Houghton and Palms mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Carlisle and Linwood mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Iosco sandy loam and Covert loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Coral fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Guelph loam and silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded	6K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat 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.

Inceptisols

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

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 85% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.