Ottawa County, Ohio
The most common soil here is Toledo, on about 33% of the land: a silty clay, smooth and very sticky when wet. Nappanee and Hoytville come next.
About 5% of the land drains well, and 76% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 75% of it.
USDA rates 83% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% of it.
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 Ottawa County, Ohio, 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Ottawa County, Ohio. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 57K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nappanee silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 33K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 27K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hoytville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Toledo silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, flooded | 12K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castalia very stony fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lenawee silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| St. Clair silty clay loam, 4 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latty silty clay, till substratum, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pits, quarry | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kibbie fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, gently sloping | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Milton silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bono silty clay | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haskins loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Colwood loam | 2K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabasha silty clay, frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Del Rey silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Genesee silt loam, frequently flooded | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rawson loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 882 | Moderately 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 82% 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 83% 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.