Koochiching County Area, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Greenwood, on about 17% of the land. Effie and Tacoosh come next.
About 2% of the land drains well, and 89% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 96% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% of it.
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 Koochiching County Area, 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 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 Koochiching County Area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 211K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Tacoosh soils, suomi catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 206K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood-Lobo complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 202K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Effie-Ashlake-Effie, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 123K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 108K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamre-Tacoosh-Effie complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 69K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Northwood-Berner complex, mlra 88, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 65K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ricelake-Blomford complex, mlra 88, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 58K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blomford-Northwood complex, mlra 88, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 54K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 52K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waskish peat, suomi catena, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 38K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashlake-Effie complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cutaway-Suomi complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kab-Kooch complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 33K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 31K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Effie-Hamre complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 31K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kooch-Kab-Ratroot complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashlake-Suomi complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ashlake-Effie complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beltrami-Talmoon complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | 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 97% 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 98% 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.