Itasca County, Minnesota
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Itasca County, Minnesota.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 173K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Mooselake and Lupton soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 163K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eagleview and Menahga soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 124K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nashwauk fine sandy loam, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 118K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 114K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warba very fine sandy loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 111K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cutaway loamy sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 66K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Itasca-Goodland silt loams, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 54K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Effie-Ashlake-Effie, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 44K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zimmerman loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 36K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville-Bowstring association | 35K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 35K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nebish loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Keewatin silt loam | 34K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Ashlake-Effie complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Warba very fine sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 27K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Itasca silt loam, 1 to 10 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Itasca-Goodland silt loams, 12 to 25 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Suomi silt loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 72% 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.