Bayfield County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Vilas, on about 9% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Rubicon and Gogebic come next.
About 42% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Bayfield 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Bayfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portwing-Herbster complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 73K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 42K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Vilas loamy sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 42K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Amnicon-Cuttre complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 36K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gogebic fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony | 33K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vilas loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 33K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sanborg-Badriver complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gogebic, very stony-Pence, very stony-Cathro complex, 0 to 18 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, ravines and escarpments, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 26K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kellogg-Allendale-Ashwabay complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 24K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sultz sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cublake-Croswell-Ashwabay complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vilas loamy sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kellogg-Allendale-Ashwabay complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Padus-Pence-Keweenaw complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, stony | 15K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Superior-Sedgwick complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keweenaw-Pence complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 12K | Well drained | A | 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 66% 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 91% 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.