Lincoln County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Barnes, on about 14% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Buse and Parnell come next.
About 57% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% 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 Lincoln 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Lincoln 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes, occasional saturation-Buse-Svea complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 30K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hokans-Svea complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Singsaas-Oak Lake complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lakepark-Roliss-Parnell, depressional, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kranzburg-Brookings silty clay loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Forman, occasional saturation-Aastad loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parnell silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vallers clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oak Lake silty clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes, occasional saturation-Buse complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parnell silty clay loam, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bigstone silty clay loam, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brookings silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Svea loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winger silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lamoure-La Prairie complex, channeled, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buse, moderately eroded-Wilno complex, 12 to 18 percent slopes, bemis moraine | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakepark clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, overwash | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/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 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.