Dakota County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Waukegan, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Wadena and Kingsley come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 19% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 19% of it.
USDA rates 77% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 30% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Dakota 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wadena loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ostrander loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wadena loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Waukegan silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 12K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Marshan silty clay loam | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cylinder loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kingsley-Mahtomedi-Spencer complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kingsley sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Waukegan complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hawick gravelly sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Estherville sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Kingsley complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Klinger silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kingsley-Mahtomedi complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Etter fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kanaranzi loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Blooming silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ostrander loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 30% 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
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.