Rolette County, North Dakota
The most common soil here is Kelvin, on about 10% of the land. Balaton and Souris come next.
About 38% of the land drains well, and 29% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 43% 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.
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 Rolette 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 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 Rolette 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balaton-Souris-Svea loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 76K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hamerly-Wyard-Tonka complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 62K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kelvin loam, 9 to 25 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kelvin loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Maddock-Hecla loamy fine sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bottineau loam, 9 to 25 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rolla silty clay, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bottineau loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Souris-Balaton-Svea loams, 0 to 4 percent slope | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lowe-Fluvaquents, channeled complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aberdeen-Nahon silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hecla loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Stirum-Arveson, saline fine sandy loams, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parnell-Vallers, saline, complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arvilla sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Divide loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Svea-Cresbard loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lohnes loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eramosh mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | C/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 43% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 84% 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.