Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
The most common soil here is Amiret, on about 17% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Canisteo and Webster come next.
About 42% of the land drains well, and 44% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 47% of it.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% 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 Yellow Medicine 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Yellow Medicine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canisteo clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 90K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amiret-Swanlake loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Amiret loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 56K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Webster clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 24K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spicer silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Okoboji silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seaforth loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Normania loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Forman, occasional saturation-Aastad loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Glencoe clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Storden-Ves complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Calco silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionaly flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Burr-Calco silty clay loams | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes, occasional saturation-Buse-Svea complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brensall-Tress complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Du Page loam, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Du Page-McIntosh variant loams | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marysland clay loam | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parnell silty clay loam, firm till, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Buse complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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 59% 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 95% 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.