St. Louis County, Minnesota, Duluth Part
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
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.