St. Louis County, Minnesota, Meadowlands Part

Survey Area MN619• 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 Histosols — organic soils (peat/muck) formed in wetlands. 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, Meadowlands 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-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	111K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greenwood soils, duluth catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes	51K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lobo-Waskish complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	35K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Culver-Dusler-Ellsburg complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	34K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tacoosh mucky peat, upham basin, 0 to 1 percent slopes	22K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	22K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dusler-Ellsburg complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	21K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle soils, duluth catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes	20K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Normanna-Canosia-Hermantown complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	20K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	19K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Baden muck, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes	16K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hellwig-Ellsburg-Baden, depressional, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	15K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	15K			Not rated	Not rated
Ellsburg-Baden complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	14K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cowhorn-Onega-Sago, frequently ponded complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greenwood-Merwin complex, depressional, 0 to 1 percent slopes	13K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cathro muck, depressional, duluth catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes	12K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hermantown-Canosia-Giese, depressional, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tacoosh mucky peat, duluth catena, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Meadowlands-Leeora-Alborn complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	10K	Poorly drained	B/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.

Histosols

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

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.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 97% 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 97% 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.