Ashland County, Wisconsin

Survey Area WI003• Wisconsin

The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Ashland 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
Sanborg-Badriver complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	70K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	48K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic, very stony-Pence, very stony-Cathro complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes	37K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Shanagolden fine sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	31K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pickford-Badriver complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes	26K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Butternut silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, very stony	26K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loxley and Beseman soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	25K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Shanagolden fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, very stony	21K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Udorthents, ravines and escarpments, 25 to 60 percent slopes	17K			Not rated	Not rated
Portwing-Herbster complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes	15K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Torch silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, very stony	13K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Keweenaw-Pence complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, stony	12K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Butternut silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, very stony	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton-Pleine-Cathro complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes	12K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Gogebic-Metonga-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 35 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Tula-Wormet-Gogebic complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, very stony	11K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Peeksville fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes	10K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Minocqua, Cable and Pleine soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very stony	10K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Padus-Karlin complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes	10K	Well drained	B	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.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 95% 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

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.