Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN077• 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 Lake of the Woods 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	309K			Not rated	Not rated
Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	87K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bullwinkle-Cathro mucks	57K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	54K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Markey muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	50K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton-Lupton, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	42K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Grygla loamy fine sand	37K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tawas muck	37K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Chilgren fine sandy loam	36K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cormant loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	36K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Leafriver muck	30K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Redby loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes	30K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	26K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Haug muck	20K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tacoosh muck	19K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hiwood loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Northwood muck	17K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	16K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Indus-Indus, frequently ponded-Alango complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	13K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Effie-Ashlake-Effie, frequently ponded, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	11K	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

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 67% 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 67% 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.