Adams County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Plainfield, on about 24% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Friendship and Coloma come next.
About 53% of the land drains well, and 24% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 24% of it.
USDA rates 93% 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: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Adams County, Wisconsin, 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Adams County, Wisconsin. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 69K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Friendship loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 66K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Coloma sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 29K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 28K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Plainfield sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 28K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Meehan loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newson mucky loamy sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markey muck, acid, lake plain, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Coloma sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Delton sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Richford loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield sand, 12 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winterfield-Evart complex, river valleys, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Billett sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Coloma sand, 12 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kewaunee silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Okee loamy sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Wyeville loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Winterfield-Fordum complex, river valleys, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/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 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 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.