Otter Tail County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Dorset, on about 4% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Seelyeville and Kandota come next.
About 52% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 30% of it.
USDA rates 72% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% 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 Otter Tail 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Otter Tail 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 | 163K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Haslie, Seelyeville, and Cathro soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 48K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorset-Corliss complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 43K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 40K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kandota sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Blowers soils, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 34K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aazdahl-Formdale-Balaton clay loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 34K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chapett-Sisseton complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 34K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lida-Two Inlets complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lida-Two Inlets complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hokans-Svea-Buse complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nidaros muck | 19K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorset-Corliss complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Snellman sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Paddock-Becida, stony, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forman-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nitche-Kandota-Lida complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oylen sandy loam | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Esmond-Sisseton-Heimdal, complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 72% 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.