Wadena County, Minnesota

Survey Area MN159• Minnesota

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Wadena 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
Friendship-Meehan loamy sands	41K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Markey muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	29K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Blowers soils, 1 to 6 percent slopes	27K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Eagleview and Menahga soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes	27K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Roscommon loamy sand	26K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	25K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Verndale sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	20K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Nymore loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes	18K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Paddock-Becida, stony, complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	14K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Leafriver muck	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Huntersville loamy fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Menahga loamy sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes	7K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Oylen sandy loam	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Friendship loamy sand, till substratum, 1 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Duelm loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Menahga loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes	5K	Excessively drained	A	Not limited	Very limited
Cathro muck, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	5K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Evart-Isan complex, channeled	5K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Forada and Leafriver soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes	4K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Water	4K			Not rated	Not rated

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.

Entisols

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

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Alfisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 72% 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 98% 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.