St. Louis County, Minnesota, Duluth Part

Survey Area MN615• 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 Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 St. Louis County, Minnesota, Duluth Part. 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
Brimson stony fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, very stony	51K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	43K			Not rated	Not rated
Normanna-Canosia-Hermantown complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	42K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle soils, dense substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes	39K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	30K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ahmeek-Normanna-Canosia complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Hermantown-Canosia-Giese, depressional, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	24K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Nevens stony loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very stony	23K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greenwood soils, dense substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes	21K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Aldenlake-Pequaywan complex, pitted, 0 to 8 percent slopes	19K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Tacoosh mucky peat, dense substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes	17K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Aldenlake-Pequaywan complex, pitted, 0 to 18 percent slopes	17K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Rifle soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	16K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Toimi stony loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Toimi stony loam, 8 to 18 percent slopes, very stony	14K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rollins-Pequaywan complex, pitted, 0 to 18 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Dusler-Ellsburg complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Aldenlake sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Bugcreek extremely stony sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rubbly	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greenwood soils, duluth catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Very poorly drained	A/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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 71% 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 84% 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.