Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Canisteo, on about 8% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Harps and Wadenill come next.
About 33% of the land drains well, and 47% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Kandiyohi 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Kandiyohi 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 | 41K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Canisteo-Harps complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 35K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wadenill-Sunburg complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Estherville-Hawick complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Harps-Glencoe-Seaforth complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amiret-Swanlake loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Harps-Okoboji complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okoboji-Canisteo complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 18K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canisteo-Seaforth complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sunburg-Wadenill complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Normania loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arctander, overwash-Arctander complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Esmond-Heimdal-Sisseton complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Canisteo clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Normania loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hawick-Estherville complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | 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 |
| Crowriver-Lundlake complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nicollet silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, Oliiva Till Plain | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kandiyohi clay, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 62% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 87% 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.