Hennepin County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN053• Minnesota

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Hennepin 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	32K			Not rated	Not rated
Lester loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded	28K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Angus loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	25K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hamel, overwash-Hamel complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	16K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cordova loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	15K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land-Hubbard complex, Mississippi River Valley, 0 to 8 percent slopes	15K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Udipsamments (cut and fill land) complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K			Not rated	Not rated
Muskego and Houghton soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land-Udorthents, wet substratum, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Malardi complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	12K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Lester complex, 2 to 18 percent slopes	11K			Not rated	Not rated
Muskego, Blue Earth, and Houghton soils, ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land-Udorthents (cut and fill land) complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	10K			Not rated	Not rated
Lester loam, 10 to 16 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Lester-Kilkenny complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded	9K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Glencoe clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nessel loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Angus-Kilkenny complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Le Sueur loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, wet substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Well drained		Not rated	Not rated

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.

Entisols

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

Histosols

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

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 57% 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.