Clearwater County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Cathro, on about 8% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Sugarbush and Sol come next.
About 40% of the land drains well, and 41% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 42% of it.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% 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 Clearwater 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Clearwater 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 29K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mooselake and Lupton soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 28K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nebish loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Naytahwaush loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Naytahwaush loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sol fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sol-Sugarbush complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sugarbush loamy sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Snellman sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nary fine sandy loam | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beltrami loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mahkonce loam | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chilgren fine sandy loam, des moines, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sol-Sugarbush complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Waukon loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lengby fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Haslie, Seelyeville, and Cathro soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | 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 59% 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 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.