Stevens County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Aazdahl, on about 14% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Flom and Formdale come next.
About 25% of the land drains well, and 32% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 63% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Stevens County, Minnesota, 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Stevens County, Minnesota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aazdahl-Formdale-Balaton clay loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 52K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Aazdahl-Balaton clay loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 46K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flom-Aazdahl-Hamerly complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 27K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McIntosh silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nutley-Hattie clays, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flom-Hamerly complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Byrne silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hokans-Svea-Buse complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Quam and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 10K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hattie-Nutley clays, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glyndon-McIntosh complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Renshaw loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tara silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quam silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 6K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dovray clay, poorly drained | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glyndon loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hokans-Buse complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Flom-Quam silty clay loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winger silty clay loam | 4K | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 60% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.