Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN035• Minnesota

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Crow Wing 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	102K			Not rated	Not rated
Brainerd sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes	44K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	32K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eutrudepts-Graycalm-Rollins complex, pitted, 10 to 20 percent slopes	25K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Graycalm loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes	25K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Gerrish-Hapludalfs-Hegberg-Eutrudepts complex, pitted, 10 to 20 percent slopes	23K	Moderately well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	20K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rosholt-Chetek complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Zimmerman loamy fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes	19K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Brainerd-Flak complex, 4 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eutrudepts-Graycalm-Rollins complex, 10 to 20 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Lougee-Totagatic-Bowstring complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded	15K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Zimmerman loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	15K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Rosholt-Chetek complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Eutrudepts-Graycalm-Rollins complex, pitted, 2 to 10 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Gerrish-Hapludalfs-Hegberg-Eutrudepts complex, pitted, 2 to 10 percent slopes	13K	Moderately well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Gerrish-Hapludalfs-Hegberg-Eutrudepts complex, pitted, 20 to 40 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Graycalm loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Lougee-Barber-Guida complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	11K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nokay-Brainerd complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	10K	Poorly 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.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

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 77% 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.