Kanabec County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Milaca, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Brennyville and Cebana come next.
About 12% of the land drains well, and 64% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 70% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 84% 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.
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 Kanabec 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 Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/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 Kanabec 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brennyville-Freer complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 59K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mora-Ronneby complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes, stony | 36K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milaca-Millward complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes, stony | 29K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro-Twig, stony complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 21K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cebana-Giese, frequently ponded-Freer complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony | 15K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milaca loam, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville, occasionally ponded-Cathro, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cebana-Giese, frequently ponded-Ronneby complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grasston silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Antigo-Chetek complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rosholt-Chetek complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Antigo silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Milaca-Mora complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro, sandy substratum, and Seelyeville soils, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ossmer-Billyboy complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Annriver silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Longsiding-Grasston silt loams, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milaca-Brennyville complex, 1 to 7 percent slopes, stony | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 97% 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.