Cook County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Eveleth, on about 13% of the land: a stony loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Conic and Aquepts come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 64% of it.
USDA rates 85% 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: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 50% of it.
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 Cook 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Cook 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eveleth, bouldery-Conic, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky | 191K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 96K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Eveleth, bouldery-Conic, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky | 73K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 50K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Normanna-Hermantown complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 40K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eveleth-Eaglesnest-Conic complex, 3 to 18 percent slopes, bouldery, very rocky | 39K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 37K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Giese, rubbly-Tacoosh-Rifle complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 34K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eaglesnest-Babbitt complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, bouldery | 29K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conic, very bouldery-Insula, very bouldery-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 70 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahmeek-Normanna-Mesaba, stony complex, 3 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky | 21K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eveleth, bouldery-Conic, bouldery-Rock outcrop complex, 18 to 35 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quetico, stony-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quetico, stony-Rock outcrop complex, 18 to 70 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Babbitt, bouldery-Wahlsten, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very rocky | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eveleth stony loam, 3 to 18 percent slopes, bouldery | 16K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Normanna-Greysolon complex, 3 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky | 15K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fluvaquents-Udifluvents complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rubbly, frequently flooded | 12K | 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 steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.