St. Louis County, Minnesota, Embarrass Part

Survey Area MN617• 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, Embarrass 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
Greenwood soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	103K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	45K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	44K			Not rated	Not rated
Eveleth-Eagelsnest-Conic complex, bouldery, 6 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky	27K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Eveleth, bouldery-Conic, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly, complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes	27K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	25K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Brimson stony fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, very stony	23K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cloquet loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes	18K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Babbitt, bouldery-Wahlsten, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly, complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rocky	15K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eaglesnest-Wahlsten complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, bouldery	13K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Babbitt, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tacoosh mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eaglesnest-Babbitt complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes, bouldery	12K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, loamy (cut and fill land)	10K	Well drained		Not rated	Not rated
Aquepts, rubbly-Tacoosh-Rifle complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	10K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Aldenlake sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
McQuade-Buhl complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	8K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Pits, iron mine	8K			Not rated	Not rated
Cathro muck, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes	8K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Shagawa-Beargrease complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes, extremely bouldery	8K	Well 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.

Inceptisols

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

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 85% 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.