Pennington County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Smiley, on about 20% of the land: a sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Kratka and Reiner come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 76% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 72% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% 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 Pennington 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Pennington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smiley loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 79K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kratka fine sandy loam, loamy till substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reiner fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Roliss loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamre muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 15K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clearwater clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Strathcona fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linveldt fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rosewood fine sandy loam, Aspen Parkland, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Northwood muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Radium-Sandberg-Garborg complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vallers loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Borup loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Eckvoll loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wyandotte clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mavie fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hecla loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berner muck, depressional, des moines, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reiner loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Grimstad fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, aspen parkland | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | 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 76% 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 99% 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.