Wright County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Angus, on about 15% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Lester and Cordova come next.
About 56% of the land drains well, and 31% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 50% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 41% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Wright 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 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 Wright 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus-Le Sueur complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lester loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 43K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 35K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Angus loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cordova clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 25K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorset-Two Inlets complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Reedslake-Le Sueur complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angus-Cordova complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lester loam, 10 to 16 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Glencoe clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klossner muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houghton muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskego, Blue Earth, and Houghton soils, ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lester loam, 10 to 22 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamel loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Le Sueur loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cordova loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hamel-Glencoe complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canisteo-Glencoe complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cokato-Storden complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat 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 41% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.