Benton County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Milaca, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Mora and Hubbard come next.
About 19% of the land drains well, and 59% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 63% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% 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.
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 Benton 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Benton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milaca loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 42K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brennyville-Freer complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 40K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mora-Ronneby complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 36K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hubbard loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cebana-Giese, frequently ponded-Freer complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro-Twig, stony complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 11K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cebana-Giese, frequently ponded-Ronneby complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hubbard loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville, occasionally ponded-Cathro, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milaca-Mora complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ogilvie loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Francis-Mahtomedi complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Warman loam, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watab loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nokasippi loamy fine sand, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hubbard loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fordum-Winterfield complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville and Markey soils, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/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 80% 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 98% 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.