Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Insula, on about 12% of the land: a gravelly sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Quetico and Conic come next.
About 41% of the land drains well, and 19% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 64% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 64% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 45% of it.
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 Voyageurs National Park, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Voyageurs National Park, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 79K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Insula-Conic-Wahlsten complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes, very stony, very rocky | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Insula-Conic-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very bouldery | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Insula-Conic-Wahlsten complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes, very stony, very rocky | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quetico-Insula, bouldery-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 18 percent slopes, LRU 93C | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quetico-Insula, bouldery-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquents, Sax, and Tacoosh soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, ponded | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wahlsten, very stony-Spooner-Voyageurs complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rocky | 5K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spooner-Sax complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Voyageurs, oxyaquic-Littleswan-Conic, very stony complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes, rocky | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littleswan-Spooner complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, seasonally ponded | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Insula, very stony-Voyageurs-Wahlsten, very stony complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes, very rocky | 3K | Well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rifle mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenwood peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, seasonally ponded | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Tacoosh soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, ponded | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tacoosh and Sax soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brickton-Dalbo complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tacoosh and Sax soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Very poorly drained | A/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 64% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 64% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.