Isanti County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN059• Minnesota

The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Isanti 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
Zimmerman fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes	55K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Rifle and Seelyeville soils	28K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lino loamy fine sand	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seelyeville, occasionally ponded-Cathro, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	19K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cushing, moderately eroded-Branstad loams, 2 to 15 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Branstad loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Anoka loamy fine sand, 2 to 7 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	C	Not limited	Very limited
Isanti mucky loamy fine sand	10K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	9K			Not rated	Not rated
Zimmerman loamy fine sand and fine sand, 7 to 12 percent slopes	7K	Excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Talmoon-Alstad-Bluffton, frequently ponded, loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Alstad-Branstad loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Alluvial land, poorly drained	6K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Zimmerman fine sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes	5K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Talmoon, Alstad, and Blomford soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Grasston silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes	4K	Moderately well drained	D	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Anoka loamy fine sand, 7 to 12 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Cathro muck	3K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Alluvial land, well drained	3K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Markey muck	3K	Very poorly drained	A/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.

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.

Mollisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 45% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.