Schoolcraft County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Markey, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Rubicon and Kalkaska come next.
About 32% of the land drains well, and 53% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 66% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Schoolcraft County, Michigan, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/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 Schoolcraft 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markey mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 98K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 79K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 46K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Dawson, and Greenwood peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 30K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Spot-Finch complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Deford and Leafriver soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 24K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Lupton mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ausable, Deford, and Tawas mucks, frequently flooded | 17K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deford-Rubicon-Au Gres complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Proper sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garlic sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Paquin sand, 0 to 3 percent slope | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kinross-Au Gres-Rubicon complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalkaska sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Deford-Meehan-Seney complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rousseau-Neconish-Finch complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlevoix-Ensley complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 73% 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 96% 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.