McHenry County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Hecla, on about 9% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Ulen and Barnes come next.
About 28% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 75% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 31% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% 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 McHenry County, North Dakota, 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 McHenry County, North Dakota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aylmer-Bantry fine sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 104K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hecla loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 92K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ulen fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 48K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lohnes-Claire coarse sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Souris loams, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Svea loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ulen-Hecla loamy fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Falsen-Karlsruhe complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Svea-Cresbard loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 25K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Embden fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wyndmere fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maddock-Hecla loamy fine sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hamlet-Souris loams, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Cresbard loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Forman-Aastad loams, west, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stirum-Arveson, saline fine sandy loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ludden silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 17K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Serden fine sand, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arveson fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnes-Buse-Langhei loams, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not 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 31% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 75% 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.