Chisago County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Branstad, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cushing and Alstad come next.
About 39% of the land drains well, and 43% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 44% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 47% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% 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 Chisago 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Chisago 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branstad loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville, occasionally ponded-Cathro, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alstad-Branstad loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zimmerman fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cushing, moderately eroded-Branstad loams, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cushing-Branstad complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Talmoon-Alstad-Bluffton, frequently ponded, loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville muck | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sartell fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nymore loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Isanti loamy fine sand | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lino loamy fine sand | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talmoon, Alstad, and Blomford soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Braham-Cutaway loamy sands, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, loamy-Urban land complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bluffton-Hamre complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 4K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markey muck | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fordum sandy loam, frequently flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kost loamy fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not 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 47% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.