St. Louis County, Minnesota, Duluth Part
The most common soil here is Rifle, on about 8% of the land. Aldenlake and Brimson come next.
About 25% of the land drains well, and 49% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 76% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% of it.
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 St. Louis County, Minnesota, Duluth Part, 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 73% 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 87% 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.