Cass County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Warba, on about 7% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Menahga and Borohemists come next.
About 39% of the land drains well, and 33% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 50% of it.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 49% 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 Cass 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 Cass 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 | 254K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Typic borohemists, nonacid-typic borosaprists association | 66K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warba-Stuntz association, nearly level and undulating | 57K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Warba-Aquic Eutroboralfs, loamy-Aeric Glossaqualfs, loamy, association, nearly level to gently rolling | 50K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 39K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warba very fine sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Typic borosaprist-bowstring association | 33K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Friendship loamy sand | 31K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabedo sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic borohemists, acid | 27K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meehan loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Guida-Zimmerman-Redby complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Menahga loamy coarse sand, moraine, rolling and hilly | 25K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Markey muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 24K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Udipsamments-Arenic Eutroboralfs-Alfic Udispamments association, nearly level to gently rolling | 22K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Friendship loamy sand, loamy substratum, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Roscommon loamy sand | 21K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menahga loamy sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Huntersville loamy sand, acid substratum, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well 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 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 81% 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.