Douglas County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN041• Minnesota

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 Douglas 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	56K			Not rated	Not rated
Hokans-Buse complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	38K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lakepark-Parnell, occasionally ponded, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	25K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Waukon loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	24K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Waukon-Langhei complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Waukon, moderately eroded-Langhei complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Barnes-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded	19K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Haslie, Seelyeville, and Cathro soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	17K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gonvick loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Quam silty clay loam, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Vallers clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Sinai clay, 2 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	9K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Arvilla sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Waukon loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Nebish loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Quam, Cathro, and Urness soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dorset sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Forada sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hokans-Svea complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	B	Somewhat 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.

Mollisols

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

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

Histosols

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

Entisols

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

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 34% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 71% 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.