Aitkin County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Cathro, on about 10% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Rifle and Lupton come next.
About 13% of the land drains well, and 69% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 74% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Aitkin County, Minnesota, 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 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 Aitkin County, Minnesota. 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 | 112K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Mora-Ronneby complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 75K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton-Lupton, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 45K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck, stratified substratum | 36K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro-Twig, stony complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 36K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dusler silt loam | 30K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cebana-Giese, frequently ponded-Ronneby complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony | 28K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duluth fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sandwick loamy sand | 24K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cushing-Mahtomedi complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Alstad loam | 23K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley peat | 22K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milaca-Mora complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton muck | 20K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck | 19K | Very poorly drained | B/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 81% 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. 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.