St. Louis County, Minnesota, Virginia Part

Survey Area MN621• 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, Virginia 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	41K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Keewatin-Nashwauk complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, stony	37K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Alango-Indus complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes	31K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	30K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Indus-Indus, frequently ponded-Alango complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes	25K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Hibbing-Buhl complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes	22K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tailings basin	21K			Not rated	Not rated
Water	19K			Not rated	Not rated
McQuade-Buhl complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	19K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	18K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Dumps, iron mine	18K			Not rated	Not rated
Alango-Taylor complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes	18K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Eveleth-Eagelsnest-Conic complex, bouldery, 6 to 18 percent slopes, very rocky	18K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pits, iron mine	16K			Not rated	Not rated
Udorthents, loamy (cut and fill land)	14K	Well drained		Not rated	Not rated
Babbitt, bouldery-Aquepts, rubbly, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Greatscott-Nashwauk-Balkan, depressional, complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes, stony	12K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Greenwood soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	11K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Keewatin-Balkan complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, stony	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/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.

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 75% 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 75% 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.