Lyon County, Minnesota
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Lyon County, Minnesota.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canisteo clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 61K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amiret loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Amiret-Swanlake loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Barnes, occasional saturation-Buse-Svea complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brensall-Tress complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hokans-Svea complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lakepark-Roliss-Parnell, depressional, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brensall-Tress complex 1 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forman, occasional saturation-Aastad loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Parnell silty clay loam, firm till, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Glencoe clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Normania loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seaforth loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calco silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionaly flooded | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forman-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Colvin complex | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| North Twin-Walnut Grove complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| North Twin-Walnut Grove complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vallers clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 60% 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 100% 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.